How I Make My LDR Work

So, I have been in a relationship with my boyfriend, who lives in Norway, for about two years, and I feel like this is the best relationship I have ever had. For now, let us call him Grasshopper, since that is his screen name. We are always communicating with one another, we have really good support from our friends and family, we trust each other, and more importantly, we love each other. I hope you, the reader, can relate to these tips on how Grasshopper and I make our relationship work.

Communication. So it is not just about always talking to each other, but we do make time to be able to video chat with one another. I honestly get sad whenever I do not get to talk to him, but really, it is about communicating our feelings, and us understanding each other. We also listen to each other and understand each other. I mean, how are you communicating if you’re not listening? We rarely have disagreements, but when we do, we listen to one another one why, but we don’t argue about.

Encouragement. Grasshopper always encourages me to chase after my dreams. He encourages me to save as much as I can so that I can go to my dream school in Norway. I also suffer from anxiety and depression, and it makes me happy when my boyfriend is there to comfort me. He does everything he can to calm my anxiety and to cheer me up.

Knowing each other. I mean, you can’t exactly be in a relationship with someone you don't really know, can you? Well, to be fair, we met online; but, we met in person, and the moment I first saw him in arrivals, I knew he was the one. It’s been about two years since we met each other, and I feel like we both know each other to the core. I do not think this relationship would work if we really did not know each other.

Support. We have a really good support system from our friends and family. Well, at first everyone was skeptical, but once everyone from my side met Grasshopper, it was like, things were perfect. My parents love the guy. I met his family when I first went to Norway last year in 2019, and they love me as well. At first, it felt a little weird because of the language barrier, but I felt at home with them. I have been learning Norwegian so that I can communicate with them. It would be hard if we didn’t have the support that we have.

Love. Can you really be in a relationship with someone you do not love? The first time Grasshopper said I love you to me was about a week after non stop talking to each other via video chatting, or just texting. He did not realize how much he loved me until he decided to buy a plane ticket to visit me all the way to America, and I did not realize how I loved him until I saw him at arrivals; realizing he crossed the ocean for me. For as long as we have been together, there has not been a day where we don’t tell each other ‘I love you.’

And finally, trust. Without trust, there are only broken hearts, broken relationships and doubt. With doubt comes miscommunications, and arguments. We trust each other, and after 2 years of being with each other, I don’t think either one of us wants to, or even can break the trust we already have.

So whether you're in a long distance relationship, or even a regular relationship where you are physically next to your loved one, I’m sure anyone can relate.