CRUSHES

You met your sweetie at camp—or on vacation, at the water park or at the mall—and have been inseparable ever since. But then came the end of summer swell of emotions when you and your boo were forced to go your separate ways. And as soon as the first bell sounded at school, you were already wishing you two were back spending endless days by the pool. You still talk everyday, but it's proving to be a bit much to keep up when you've got math club and they're busy with soccer.

No doubt, long distance relationships can be frustrating, lonely and just plain difficult to manage, but life can be made a little easier with these tips.

Make a schedule

Not being able to be physically close to the person you care about the most is an awful thing. Technology, however, allows us to bridge that gap. You can text and Snapchat them whenever you want, but in order to log some QT together you'll have to make it a priority and pencil it in. Set up a designated time after school or on the weekends to talk to your cutie via Skype or over the phone. It's up to you whether you make time for each other every day, every other day or just on the weekends, but either way, communication is key maintain the bond that you have.

Stick with what you know

Did you two used to hit up the movies every Saturday? Share snacks? Make dinner with each other's families? You can still do those things despite the distance, again, with the help of technology. On a weekend, plan a "virtual date" by hopping on FaceTime, choosing a movie on Netflix that you both love, grabbing candy, popcorn and all the other yummies and pressing play at the same time. The same goes for sharing snacks and chilling with each other's families. Send your sweetie a care package of his fave sweet and savory munchies or the recipe to your mom's infamous spaghetti to let them know they're on your mind. 

Plan trips

If you two are willing to make the trek, visit each other as often as you can. If that means every weekend, then great! But every couple of weeks or just during school breaks is good too, and doesn't make you two any less committed to each other. It will be fun getting to see your sweetie in a different environment and if they come to visit you, you get to show them around your hometown. Plus, a li'l' traveling is always fun.

Reevaluate if necessary

If you find that a long distance relationship just isn't working no matter how hard you and your S/O try, it may be time to reconsider your LDR status. Ask yourself: Is spending so much time apart from someone you care about healthy for you? Are you missing out on moments at home because you're spending time with them (whether that's online or in person)? Are you falling behind in school because you're so focused on staying in touch? Know that LDRs don't work for everyone so if you two do decide to reevaluate, make the decision that will benefit not just you two together, but separately as well. 

What do you think of long distance relationships? Have you ever been in one?

by Sydney Adamson | 9/2/2016