Long-distance relationship advice

Hey ladies!

Just so you know, I've really been getting into this blog called "The Dating Divas" and since you all know how much I like writing about men, well it's really my cup of tea. But there are two problems with going to their blog.

1. The writers are married, so a lot of this stuff is for people who live together, which Kyle and I don't.
2. A lot of their "Love on the Go" advice (Cutesie little things to do so your man knows your thinking of him) is for people who have access to their men 24/7. Which I don't, seeing as this summer we're long distance.

Now, reading all of their posts, and their date ideas, and their stories, really gets me excited to go back to school, where I'll only be a few blocks away from him and I can just date the s- out of him. But as for now, I'm stuck 200 miles away, and those little things I would normally do, like ask to come over, or make him something sweet, or maybe write him little notes and leave them on his desk or something, just won't work. We have to make it work over texting and calling and skyping. Ugh.

Now, this got me thinking, wouldn't it be nice if there were somewhere to go where there was someone I could relate to? Someone who makes this whole long-distance thing sound like it's worth it? Well, that's what inspired me to write this list.

So here's a list of advice for women in long-distance relationships. I hope this helps.

1. Be like a teenager and text him all the time! Every second you have, just tell him something cute.
2. Don't stop at texting, actually call him. You'll be surprised at just how much it makes you feel better to just hear his voice.
3. If you can't leave him cute little notes in his apartment, then you can leave him cute little notes in creative ways. Post on his facebook, or you can download the whiteboard app and draw on a cute picture of you two, just something like "I'm such a lucky girl to have found my prince charming" or something like that.
4. Skype, Skype, Skype. Although sometimes Skyping makes me sad, because I want to actually see him in person instead of through a computer and it makes me sad that I can't.
5. Never wear out the "I LOVE YOU" texts. They can be very comforting.
6. Make plans to see each other, and not just a "I need to get up there to see you" or "come visit meee!" No, actually make definite plans attached to a date and follow through. These visits may make your life a little tough, but going a month and a half without seeing your love is much tougher emotionally, so working a little overtime and a little late-night planning is worth it.
7. Daydream about time with him. It does wonders for the soul.
8. This may make you sad, but look through pictures of you two together. It'll make you smile.
9. When you feel that gut-wrenching hurt because you miss him so much, don't be afraid to cry. Just let it out. Sometimes we need to do that to make ourselves feel better.
10. Watch a really really sad Nicholas Sparks movie. It'll make your life seem so much easier! Promise!
11. If you're tired of being sad, be busy instead. Sign up for church choir, double your workouts, go into work more often. Do something, anything, to get your mind off of being sad, and counting down days till you see him again.
12. If you have one of his shirts or hoodies, wear it. And often.
13. Get snapchat. Nuff said.
14. Talk to someone about it. A friend, a mentor, a parent, someone! It helps a lot just to have someone offering insight.
15. Don't sit around thinking about how sad you are. You'll drive yourself crazy! Go out and have fun!
16. Make fun plans to do stuff when you're back together again. Like when he comes to see you, plan to go stargazing. Or for the first night back at school plan a movie night in your new apartment. Something to get you thinking about him.
17. Avoid the text-fighting. It is just frustrating, and it goes nowhere, and nobody wins. It's a bad idea and don't do it!
18. Buy him a gift. Broke? Make him a gift. Then wait to give it to him until you see him.
19. Tell him you miss him. He doesn't get tired of hearing that.
20. Send him something. A letter, anything. You may be reciprocated.

Feel free to offer more advice in the comment section. But this kind of stuff will make a long distance relationship work. Maybe not indefinitely, but I've gone 2 summers long distance now, and this stuff definitely makes it easier. Also, It's been a year and a half and we're still together even after 2 summers spent apart. That's gotta say something.

Keep it Classy. Keep it Country.
Gretta Patrick <3