How Women Who’ve Been In Long Distance Relationships Love Differently

Long distance relationships are never easy, but they are doable (at least for a while). Maintaining a connection over hundreds or sometimes thousands of miles can feel impossible at times, and occasionally it is, but long distance relationships definitely shape the way we love and how we approach our future partnerships.

1. You learn to truly appreciate the time you have together. When you don’t get a lot of one another’s time, you really appreciate the time you do get. Even just cuddling on the couch is special when you stop taking even the smallest moments for granted.
2. You know what it means to sacrifice. Whether it’s a 16-hour flight or a 5-hour drive, LDRs mean a lot of sacrificing, particularly when it comes to time and money. Getting into a regular relationship after seems like a piece of cake.
3. You’re extremely independent. When you have a lot of time to yourself because your boyfriend is far away, you learn to take care of things and entertain yourself without him. Sometimes this epic independence can be intimidating to guys who have never been in an LDR, but oh well — screw ‘em.
4. You’re incredibly trusting (so you don’t lose your mind). When you’re in a LDR, you have no choice but to be trusting if you want your relationship to last. Sure, we all falter sometimes and become the crazy, jealous girlfriend… but overall, you trust pretty easily (which could be a bad thing if you’re not careful).
5. You know you’re worth it. Being in a LDR really makes you feel special, important, and worth it. There are women where he lives, too, but he wanted to be with you. If any guy doesn’t treat you like that now, you ditch him.
6. Time has a whole different meaning in your life. Even the most impatient women somehow learn how to wait when they’re in a long distance relationship. After all, you wait for him every time you’re apart. The time it takes for anything now is a blip compared to some of the longer stretches you spent apart.
7. You understand gratitude. Recognizing how much your former long distance relationship partner went through to be with you — not to mention how much you went through to be with him —  gives you a deep gratitude you’d never known before. You’re now thankful for the small and large moments in life.
8. You know what missing someone really feels like now. Breakups suck and you can really miss your ex at the end your relationship. But there’s something far more painful about being so far away from the person you love: having to celebrate things alone, go places solo, constantly answer questions about your relationship…. It makes you really wish that person was there, and appreciate when he is.
9. You’re ready to put the work in for your relationship. Relationships shouldn’t be an uphill battle, but they do take some work. LDRs, though, take even more work and require a lot more effort and thoughtfulness than a regular relationship. Although it took a lot more work, it was worth it because it taught you to put in the effort needed to keep love strong and alive.