Semi-LDR (long distance relationship)
I’ve been in a semi-LDR for 5 months now so let’s talk about it!
The reason I say I’m in a semi long distance relationship is because really if you think about it, it’s not really that long of a distance. My bf is almost 2 hours away from me (see? Not that far at all) however, with our work schedules and paychecks it’s hard to get back and forth to see each other. We see each other about once a month if that sometimes. I’m a physical person so like my love language is physical touch and affection which sucks with a relationship like we have cause I don’t always get that but that’s okay. The bond doesn’t change, we know what each other need and we give it that way. Reassurance is a big thing for me and he’s great at that. We respect each other as well, it’s not like an “oh she’s/hes further away so they won’t find out” type thing, we communicate with each other. One tip I have for LDRs of any kind no matter the distance is…communication is key for sure.
Little bit of a back story: so we’ve known each other for years. I met him when I was like 13 and we hit it off really well. We dated for a bit but it didn’t last due to family issues on my part, so we went our separate ways. Found each other again later on and decided to try again. At that time I wasn’t in the right headspace for a relationship, I was doing really bad mentally and decided it just wasn’t the right time for a relationship period. We went our separate ways again, didn’t talk for years but I thought about him all the time wondering how he was doing and if he was happy and I did date for a while during that time after I got myself mentally better. Finally he messaged me at the end of last year which just so happened to be after I broke off a 3 year relationship with a guy I was engaged to, we talked every day for a week and he found out about why I left the other guy. Naturally I was heartbroken over the breakup even if I was done wrong, that was still 3 years of my life I couldn’t get back. My (now) bf was there for me through it all, he helped me get back on my feet, stayed up with me on late nights where I cried myself to sleep and so forth so on. One thing led to another and I was falling for him all over again and it’s been the best decision I’ve ever made. 5 months later and we’re still thriving and happy. The long distance sucks really bad but for him it’s worth it and it’s not like we don’t talk every single day. We communicate our needs and give each other reassurance as we need it. I’m not saying it’s easy but it’s all worth it for him
Being in a semi-long distance relationship for five months has truly been a journey of growth and learning. While the original post touched on the emotional aspect and the importance of communication, I wanted to dive deeper into the practical strategies my boyfriend and I use to keep our connection strong, especially when we can't see each other as often as we'd like. It’s more than just talking; it’s about intentional effort and creativity. One of the biggest game-changers for us has been transforming our daily check-ins. Beyond just texting, we make an effort to share little snippets of our day through photos. A quick 'close-up' selfie when something funny happens, a picture of my coffee, or even a photo of my 'hands holding' a book I'm reading – these seemingly small gestures make us feel more present in each other's lives. It helps bridge that visual gap and makes us feel like we're experiencing things 'together,' even when miles apart. We've even started a shared photo album where we drop these daily moments, a digital scrapbook of our '5 months together' and beyond. Since physical touch is my love language, we've had to get creative with how we express affection. During our video calls, we often mimic physical closeness. For instance, we'll virtually 'hold hands' by placing our palms on the screen at the same time, or I'll blow a kiss and he'll pretend to catch it. It sounds silly, but these playful interactions help satisfy that need for connection. We also plan virtual 'date nights' where we might cook the same meal in our respective kitchens and then eat 'together' on video, or watch a movie simultaneously. These moments are crucial for maintaining the 'romantic relationship' aspect of our bond. 'Long distance relationship planning' is another area we've really honed. Our schedules are hectic, making spontaneous visits nearly impossible. We now have a dedicated 'planning session' once a month where we look at our calendars and lock in our next visit. This gives us something concrete to look forward to and reduces anxiety about when we'll next be 'together.' We also discuss future goals, like holidays or bigger trips, which reinforces the idea that this distance is temporary and we’re building a future. Finally, we've learned to redefine what 'distance' truly means to us. Instead of focusing on the miles, we view it as a temporary state that challenges us to be more resourceful and committed. We use 'other words for distance' in our conversations, like 'our waiting period' or 'our growth phase,' to reframe it positively. This mindset shift has been incredibly helpful. It reminds us that our bond isn't measured by proximity but by the effort, trust, and love we pour into it every single day. These five months have flown by, and while it's still hard, these strategies truly make our semi-LDR feel stronger and more fulfilling.