Can the distance in a long-distance relationship actually bring two people closer together?

as of matter of fact,i'm in a LDR now and he lives in nigeria

i agree it depends on the person and their maturity

I have recently just left a 2 year relationship in which the first year was long distance. When I look back at what when wrong with my relationship, I realise it was because, in the second year, I spent all my time with my boyfriend (everyday).
The first year however was amazing. We used to see each other maybe one or two weekends out of a month and at all other times we would stay in touch by phone or msn.
Right now I do not know what to think about long distance relationships. I probably could again with the right person, but it does take an enormous amount of trust and commitment.

i think it really depends on what kind of person you are having a relationship with. LDRs do not always work out neither do normal relationships. it's really about how mature you both are and how willing you two are to work things out no matter what. :) i am happy for those who are successful in their LDRs! cheers to you guys! :D

My current husband and I were living across the ocean from each other for two years. It got very difficult towards the end, but we made it. We talked every day, or just about every day, and were honest with each other when we became attracted to other people. This way we avoided actually cheating, and avoided jealousy as well. The difficulty was because we just missed each other so much that it was beginning to hurt to be in the relationship and not have the normal benefits of couplehood.

Then I got my discharge paperwork and went home. We got married last year and life is fantastic. It all depends on the circumstances, and on the couple.

I don't believe different states is a long distance relationship anymore! I live in Canada and my boyfriend lives in Kenya! we met through school but now he is going to study in the UK but we are going to continue our relationship. I think if your relationship is strong enough to handle the stresses, and you learn to work together and fight through the pains together - you come out stronger for it. There needs to be a level of dedication - he wakes up at 1 am sometimes to talk to me and I do the same. We each stay up until crazy hours of the night because of the 7 hour time difference. I believe if you want it bad enough, its possible.

Yes! I have been in a long distance relationship with my boyfriend for two years now. I live in northern Michigan, he lives in central Indiana. We have had the time to get to know each other, rather than taking things too fast. I have learned to appreciate him as he does for me and things really couldn't be getting any better.

Hello all!
I am a male and I am currently in a VERY long distance relationship...not only are we not in the same country, but not even the same continent!
I live in Canada and she lives in Indonesia...so, we are literally half a world apart.
We have only spent 11 days together, when I went there to see her. And yet, I think out of all the relationships I have been in. This is the definitely the best relationship I have ever been in.
We have allowed ourselves the ability to get to know each other very well. Though no physical contact between us, we talk at least twice a day. There is not much I do not know about my girlfriend and she about me. Yet everyday we learn new things about each other...!
There are (in my opinion) 5 VERY important things, that you NEED to have a happy and healthy relationship.
1/ Love
2/ Respect
3/ Truthfulness
4/ Communication
5/ Honesty
I do not look at Truthfulness and Honesty as the same thing...
Without these, any long term relationship will wither and die. Yes there are other things you need, but as I said, these to me are the top five...and not necessarily in that order. As long as you have them.
Now I know I am "unique" when it comes to men, I have never cheated on any of my girlfriends EVER. Yes, I am still a man and do like the beauty of women...so I do look at women. But, I compare them to MY girlfriend and then never come close to her.
WHY?
To me true beauty is the combination of what she is like on the inside...her emotional, spiritual, intellectual and her physical. I have dated women that were considered very pretty, yet they were very "ugly" inside. I have dated women who weren't physically attractive, but they were SO beautiful inside. Finding a women with both those qualities is not an easy accomplishment! And yet, here I am, in a long distance relationship with the most BEAUTIFUL woman I have ever met and I feel so VERY lucky. 'Cause she loves me as much as I love her and is willing to put "US/WE" before herself.
I am not rich or have a great job, so at this time I have to wait and die a very slow and painful death...not being with my "Soulmate", for I know beyond any doubt. That she is the ONE, I have know for ALL my lives and will be with her again after this body is dust. The emotions and feelings she brings out in me is so intense!
I envy all those people who can hug or hold the hand of their loved one. I also wish them all the happiness of the world and success in their relationship...because that is what I want in mine.
For those of you who are in a long distance OR even live together...all I can say is:
Cherish HER/HIM, the one you love so very much and be happy together...even if you can only be together by an internet video connection or phone call.
At least you are both doing ALL you can to be together!
OH YAH, it will be 1 year July 14, that my beautiful girlfriend and I will be together.
I love her with all my being...

I agree with Susan that an end to LDR must be in sight. I have been with my boyfriend for 9 years now, over 2 years has been long distance. We do not have a plan, there is no end in sight and I am suffering from it. He is in his home town with family and friends. I am in the big city away from my family. I feel at a loss. I don't know when things will change and I feel very uncertian about my life. It is also very hard to hear about him spending time with his family and all I have is my dog. I chose the big city because I thought we were both going to work there between our two home towns. Now that there seems to be no push from his end to get back in the same city, I wonder if I should move on?