Not just the romantic ones
Long-distance relationships come in many forms, but the ones most often associated with the name are relationships of the romantic kind. Romantic relationships may be ones that are paid the most attention to when moving away to school and leaving a partner behind. These relationships are important, and there are many ways one can work towards keeping those relationships intact. This article’s focus isn’t primarily on long-distance relationships of the romantic kind, but of every kind.
Due to the rose-coloured glasses that often cloud vision when in a warm and fuzzy romantic union, other relationships that are also of great importance (and sometimes of greater importance – sorry) fall to the wayside. These relationships are relationships between family members and friends. When moving to university and away from home, everything changes. High school is over, and all of the people you have known for years aren’t surrounding you anymore. The commonality and familiarization of the hallways, the faces, the friends – they’re all gone. Coming home to your bedroom with your parents just down the hall is a feeling you will now have a few times a year, or possibly in the next few summers. These changes can take years to recognize, but it’s crucial to at least acknowledge that there are changes and that it is one of your new responsibilities to keep the relationships that you cherish strong. Noticing this will also aid in not taking for granted the moments you have here with the new friends and “family” you will meet.
Keep in touch with friends back home, or friends who are now away discovering their own lives and independence. It will not always be easy to keep in touch; schedules will conflict, and there may even difference in time zones – but do it anyway. Plan a monthly email update with your best friends and don’t expect a response the next day, because it is highly unlikely it will happen. Just know they are there and that when you finally do get a response, it will be something that brightens your day.
Call your family; as much as it may seem like your parents couldn’t wait for you to get out of the house, or that they were as excited for you to begin this new chapter as you were to get out on your own and be an adult, this is not easy for them. They have been watching you grow and evolve your whole life, and whether or not you want to hear it, they love you and they are so proud of your accomplishments thus far, but they are going to miss you like you wouldn’t believe. So call them, and let them know you love them and are thinking of them. It will make them even more proud to call you their offspring.
Take the time to appreciate all of the people who have lent a hand in helping you get to where you are in this moment. Recognize that all of the people you have met and loved up until now have helped you shape your life and the person you are. If they mean something to you, tell them; be open and honest and have gratitude. It may seem difficult to believe right now, but these new faces surrounding you right now – the people who you will spend so much time with over the next four years – will too be long-distance relationships in the future, so cherish every moment you have. It isn’t your whole life that you will be able to live with your best friends – appreciate all these moments, and don’t let them just slip away.