ure. Don't be afraid to do things solo either. You shouldn't feel ashamed at dinner to ask for a table for one. Catch a movie that excites your interests. You shouldn't stop living, nor should you feel guilty for occupying the time when you can't be near the one you love.

In stories, long distance relationships are effective because it creates obstacles and challenges for the characters

Recently, I was talking to a friend whose husband is stationed in Iraq. We chat daily and it's made me very aware of how hard it can be to maintain a relationship across many miles. It is emotionally draining. It's like trying to cover a gaping wound with a band-aid. When a couple is familiar with being close to one another twenty minute phone calls don't always fill the void.

An important thing to focus on in long distance relationships is the maintenance of the relationship. While communication is the key to what will hold the relationship together, it's also a double-edged sword. On one hand, it's good to be in a relationship when you're both enticed by missing one another. It can make you more appreciative of the times you do have to spend together. However, the frequent phone conversations and emails can also cause you to miss your significant other that much more. I'm not saying to not communicate with each other; without communication the relationship becomes nonexistent. Both people need to find that happy medium to help balance things while you remain apart.

While your significant other is away, try to surround yourself with friends. You shouldn't have to be alone just because your loved one is away. Take on interests you may not normally have. Sometimes, if you give yourself a project to complete it can take up much of your free time, and the finished product could be very rewarding. Reacquaint yourself with letter writing. Giving and receiving letters is not only romantic but it's personable; they make wonderful keepsakes in the future. Don't be afraid to do things solo either. You shouldn't feel ashamed at dinner to ask for a table for one. Catch a movie that excites your interests. You shouldn't stop living, nor should you feel guilty for occupying the time when you can't be near the one you love.

In stories, long distance relationships are effective because it creates obstacles and challenges for the characters

ant thing to focus on in long distance relationships is the maintenance of the relationship. While communication is the key to what will hold the relationship together, it's also a double-edged sword. On one hand, it's good to be in a relationship when you're both enticed by missing one another. It can make you more appreciative of the times you do have to spend together. However, the frequent phone conversations and emails can also cause you to miss your significant other that much more. I'm not saying to not communicate with each other; without communication the relationship becomes nonexistent. Both people need to find that happy medium to help balance things while you remain apart.

While your significant other is away, try to surround yourself with friends. You shouldn't have to be alone just because your loved one is away. Take on interests you may not normally have. Sometimes, if you give yourself a project to complete it can take up much of your free time, and the finished product could be very rewarding. Reacquaint yourself with letter writing. Giving and receiving letters is not only romantic but it's personable; they make wonderful keepsakes in the future. Don't be afraid to do things solo either. You shouldn't feel ashamed at dinner to ask for a table for one. Catch a movie that excites your interests. You shouldn't stop living, nor should you feel guilty for occupying the time when you can't be near the one you love.

In stories, long distance relationships are effective because it creates obstacles and challenges for the characters

t phone conversations and emails can also cause you to miss your significant other that much more. I'm not saying to not communicate with each other; without communication the relationship becomes nonexistent. Both people need to find that happy medium to help balance things while you remain apart.

While your significant other is away, try to surround yourself with friends. You shouldn't have to be alone just because your loved one is away. Take on interests you may not normally have. Sometimes, if you give yourself a project to complete it can take up much of your free time, and the finished product could be very rewarding. Reacquaint yourself with letter writing. Giving and receiving letters is not only romantic but it's personable; they make wonderful keepsakes in the future. Don't be afraid to do things solo either. You shouldn't feel ashamed at dinner to ask for a table for one. Catch a movie that excites your interests. You shouldn't stop living, nor should you feel guilty for occupying the time when you can't be near the one you love.

In stories, long distance relationships are effective because it creates obstacles and challenges for the characters

have to be alone just because your loved one is away. Take on interests you may not normally have. Sometimes, if you give yourself a project to complete it can take up much of your free time, and the finished product could be very rewarding. Reacquaint yourself with letter writing. Giving and receiving letters is not only romantic but it's personable; they make wonderful keepsakes in the future. Don't be afraid to do things solo either. You shouldn't feel ashamed at dinner to ask for a table for one. Catch a movie that excites your interests. You shouldn't stop living, nor should you feel guilty for occupying the time when you can't be near the one you love.

In stories, long distance relationships are effective because it creates obstacles and challenges for the characters

ure. Don't be afraid to do things solo either. You shouldn't feel ashamed at dinner to ask for a table for one. Catch a movie that excites your interests. You shouldn't stop living, nor should you feel guilty for occupying the time when you can't be near the one you love.

In stories, long distance relationships are effective because it creates obstacles and challenges for the characters to overcome. As the characters' emotions regress or progress in the story the readers get to experience the highs and lows. We've all been in situations where we've missed someone, so it's easy for us to connect with the characters' feelings because of the words written on the pages. The idea that the characters are distanced from one another while still in love is romantic. Readers want to believe that love can conquer all, and it's up to the writer to prove it.