my fiance and i did long distance for 8 or 9 months..our relationship though started many years before..we had been high school sweethearts separated by young lives just starting when we hit that phase in our young lives...so many years later, we found a way to be together again....and it was hard long distance but the memories, the time together...very worth it

we communicated every day by phone text email....i drove, he flew me up...we took turns in that sense...every 2 weeks we saw each other..kept it good

every night on the phone forever it seemed until to tired for work but we talked often and alot

we do live closer together now and we see each other as much as possible...his health is not its best right now...many losses...and i think some depression..has set in but on those good days he's still very much the man who i fell in love with and on those not so good days too...just needs a bit more rest

when those days stretch on for many days, it can feel like a long distance relationship again...but i keep talking to him, i email, i text...he listens and just like before we say i'm with you right now...he holds me i hold him..our bond is very deep and it is what keeps us motivated and alive...i miss him very much in those times but i'm learning to appreciate more the person i know and he is so good to me and very loving and fun

just hang through, keep talking, and hold each other in your hearts

My husband and I were long distance for almost 2 years before we got married. We spoke on the phone every day and wrote each other letters all the time and sent cards back and forth. We arranged visits when we could be together in person. It was one of those visits that he proposed to me, I accepted and I went back home engaged.

A few months later I helped him to find a job in my town so that he could relocate. I would have relocated to where he was but it made more sense for him to relocate. His son lived in my town also so that was a plus for visitation for him. He use to live in my town years prior which is how we met.

So he also had friends in my town. At the time I had a very good job paying me more money which was another reason why it was better for him to relocate. I was in school at the time also which made it more difficult for me to relocate.

I also had my family near by when I lived in my town so that was a plus when we were just starting out on our own. My Mom agreed to let him stay at our house because we were getting married and had been putting money together for our own place. My Mom agreed to let him crash in the living room though and not in my room with me until we were married.

Coming from a Christian background my parents were not in favor of us sleeping together and quote shacking up if we were unwed. We had a small wedding at the church shortly after he relocated. Then we stayed together in my room until our first apartment was ready to move into.

My parents didn't have a problem with our plans and the way we went about things. So they gave us their full support and helped us to get set up on our own in our own place as much as they could. We did most of the preparations and work ourselves though.

I was 22 when I got married and still in college so that is why I was living with my Mom at the time. I decided not to go away to college and to go to school locally so that I could save money to get my own place and keep my job. I think that long distance relationships can work for a while.

Until you are 100% sure that the relationship is right and strong. Before you make any major choices like moving in together. I have been married to my husband for 10 years now and we have been together for almost 15 years now.

almost 2 of the years we were together were long distance. So I know it can be done. My best advice is not to rush into things. To think them through and create a plan.

Break your plan up into smaller goals and tackle them one at a time until you have reached them all. When you are making your plan you should discuss things with your lover into great detail and figure out who should relocate. Then set up your plan accordingly.

The person that is relocating should set up a job in the new location. This can be done by transfering if they are with a company that has branches in the area they are looking to move to. Or by job hunting on the internet and by working with their lover who lives in the location they are moving to.

Then they should apply for a position in the new location and plan to visit and be in the new town during a certain time to go on job interviews. Another way to do this is to save up a good amount of money so that one of you can have enough money to support yourself while you are in transition and relocating so that you can be with your lover while you look for employment in the new town.

If you are a student you can also make relocating simple by moving on campus into a dorm in the new town. You can stay on campus while you look for a place with your lover in the new town. You can also look into studio or efficency apartments as well as local hotels and motels in the new area that are affordable that have small kitchenettes in them.

You can plan and book airline tickets online in advance for special rates so that you can travel back and forth for a while incase you are not ready to do the relocating thing. And if it is not a distance that is too far to drive, take the train or the greyhound that is another option.

There are many different solutions to making a long distance relationship work. You should choose what works best for you and your lover. Or friend or family member if your long distance relationship is a non romantic one.

That is all I can think of right now. If I have more ideas for you to make long distance relationships work. I will return to post them. Best wishes to all of you.

I and my long-term BF are in a very-long distance relationship. We both have ambitious careers, that make moving together difficult, but then they pay well so finances are not a problem. We are used to the travel, phone calls, longer meet-ups, everything--almost too used to... We talk about sorting the difficult job situation so we can settle together, but deep inside I am afraid he is not as committed to a happy future as I am. I am afraid the reason for our distance is partly that he is much more comfortable that way (being less committed). But I don't want the LDR to become the relationship itself, I want it to be a transition to something deeper. I have waited plenty, and my biological clock is ticking...

I would say one of the most important pieces I would give is to make sure that he or she is worth it.

I know that sounds harsh- but LDR's are freaking hard and they can be pretty painful. If he or she isn't completely worth it, you won't last and you'll have a miserable time while you are trying to make it work.

Other than that, communicate, trust, and be honest with each other. I believe those are important in any relationship, but most important in an LDR where you can't always physically "be there" with them- they need to trust you, and you need to reciprocate (same with communication and honesty, obviously :) )

Great advice Kari! I would also add in finances too...this costs a shit ton of money guys! Especially for those of us that can't get to our SO's without taking flights. I think this is something that alot of people tend to overlook in the beginning and up fighting about later. My advice would be if you know you or your partner won't be willing and able to finance what it takes to make it happen, then to not even attempt it.