Sierra Carrington
MC301 Contributor
It is not uncommon to find students involved in long distance relationships while in college.
Many Jackson State University students have experienced the happiness as well as the heartaches that long distance can bring.
According to urbandictionary.com, a long distance relationship is defined as: “People who can make things work no matter how far away they are or where they are. They truly love each other to make their love last.”
Long Distance dating has it perks and its struggles.
Arri Rieland, a junior biology major from Elk Grove, Calif. is in a long dis-tance relationship with her boyfriend Kyle Christian, a Redondo Beach, Calif. resident.
“Doing long distance with Kyle has been hard but I know in the end it will be worth it. He flies here from California when he’s able to. We both do a good job of making an effort to see each other when we can and making the most of the time that we get to spend together. Hopefully we will be seeing each other over spring break in a few weeks, so I’m really looking forward to that. Kyle makes me so happy and he brings a lot of good into my life,” said Rieland.
Long distance dating has been successful for Rieland and Christian.
Christian, a junior biology major from Redondo Beach, Calif. said: “Long distance while in college has been difficult because of the distance. But we have such a solid base of friendship that it makes it easy to date him. We started off as being best friends and then it turned into more. She is such a cool person.”
Distance however, can dampen some relationships but not always break them.
Rhaeven Ellis, a junior biology major from Clinton, Miss. said: “My boyfriend and I aren’t too far from each other. We see each other on the weekends and he always comes to my games to support me.”
Maintaining a long distance relationship takes dedication, hard work, good advice and quality tips.
According to eharmony.com, the secrets of successful long distance relationships are: “1.Use Technology. 2. Keep the Lines of Communication Open. 3. Know When You’ll See Each other Next. 4. Make Time to be Bor-ing. 5. Trust Each Other.”
With all of good that comes from long distance dating, also follows the bad.
According to psychologytoday.com, trust is the leading cause behind long distance breakups.
This website states that the lack or loss of trust is one of the most harmful contagions to a couple’s long-term success. Without trust, a relationship misses two of the key anchors to a strong bond: safety and security.
Long distance dating is completely worth it if the right partner is by your side.
Love is considered to be the most powerful thing this world has to offer. Loving a partner that is thousands of miles away can be a difficult process. But it is ultimately the mutual choice of the couple to decide if they are in this 100 percent or not at all.
Romance novelist Sherry Thomas said it best: “It doesn’t matter where I am; I’m yours.”
