Raelynn Villarreal
More than 4.4 million college students engage in a long distance relationship, according to The Center of Long Distance Relationships Web site.
Between work, school and family, many Pierce College students find it difficult to juggle with a long distance relationship, while others might find it easy.
“It takes a strong committed couple to be in a long distance relationship,” said Pierce psychologist Deborah Garber.
Long distance relationships or LDRs require time, willingness, understanding, and most importantly trust with one another.
Drew Gold, 23, used to be involved in a long distance relationship with his girlfriend of 10 months.
She lived in San Luis Obispo and he resided in Danville, about four hours away from each other.
Their relationship was strong before she left, he couldn’t break up with her. So, he thought he would give a long distance relationship a try.
It wasn’t until a couple of months into it when he realized that the relationship was getting old and he did not enjoy talking on the phone.
“We would talk on the phone three times a day, for hours upon nothing. What’s the point of having a girlfriend if you can’t see them or hug them?” Gold said.
Students usually carry their relationships over from high school to college.
But more often than not, they grow out of that high school relationship.
Most people want to explore when they go to college. So they find it is hard to grow as an individual when they are attached in a LDR, which makes it harder to stay connected with that significant other.
“I’m a snuggler and a relationship without snuggling is terrible. I need a physical relationship,” he added.
On the other hand, there are some students that are very open about having a long distance relationship.
“I feel it’s better to have long distance relationships while in college because my focus is school. I (would) rather focus on that than have distractions,” said Maggie Larson whose boyfriend lives in Arizona.
“I see him when I have free time, but I still have the liberty to indulge in my priorities right now,” says Larson.
Take Dilhani Perera, 19, a sophomore forward soccer player, who has a busy schedule with school, work and practice, and on top of all that an LDR.
“My relationship is amazing. My boyfriend and I have strong love for each other and we feel that we are, honestly, soul mates, which makes our love a lot stronger.”
She has been in the same LDR for 10 months now.
“It’s a test of each other’s love,” she said
She feels that even though they are apart, they still love and care for one another no matter the distance between them.
It could be that two people in an LDR who love and trust each other and are committed has a relationship just as healthy as one where you see each other every week (or more).
However, they need to have a plan to eventually be together. Otherwise the relationship will not go anywhere. They will end up with a pen pal instead of a boyfriend/girlfriend.
“Well, if it is true love, the distance makes it stronger…it’s just a tiny sacrifice for our future,” said Perera.
Couples who live long-distances away from each other are able to stay in contact via cell phones and the Internet. But is it enough? ()