Does absence make the heart grow fonder?  

I really do like your response. To tell you the truth, I've never been asked to give a best response! I suppose since you asked and since you were the first to respond to this discussion, your wish is my command! (LOL) Hopefully there will be many other good responses to this discussion also. I'm curious to see what everyone will come up with. Thanks for sharing.

Great response! I never really thought about the fact that partners could seek another person for fulfillment through a long-distance relationship with their original partner. Thank you for your insight. That never crossed my mind, but I love reading all of the responses and interesting angles on this subject as it applies to my relationship as well. Thanks again, Winterose!

I completely agree. Your response is right to the point and it's precisely correct. Thank you for sharing! I enjoyed reading your response because it was "short and sweet." In my relationship, there's been more long distance than not, so it's very interesting finding out various opinions on this particular subject. Keep up the good work, Marketing!

Hey, Rock. I absolutely love how you mentioned the subject of trust. If there's no trust in a relationship, it's like Winterose's response to this discussion. The partners will seek fulfillment from another person. How sad! In your case, you trust your husband although he isn't gone for long. I guess you could consider every relationship long-distance because you aren't going to be with each other 24/7. I'm just curious as I've gotten to know you and responded to some of your discussions and I've responded to some of yours...how long have you and your husband been married, if you don't mind my asking? You have been an inspiration to me because my boyfriend and I will be getting engaged soon and getting married shortly thereafter. I want a relationship like you and your husband have. My boyfriend and I live an hour apart, but I miss him when he's gone. I even miss him when I'm with him knowing I'll be leaving him again soon after that! I know I'm pathetic, but I'm very much looking forward to the day I'll be with him forever! Thanks, as always, for your inspiration and encouragement, Rock. I completely agree with your response on this discussion.

I agree with you. Long distance can really test whether it's a true relationship or not. If you run into problems with your partner while you're apart, perhaps he or she is not the one for you! Thanks for your response, Subha.

Hi, Aqua. Excellent response! Long distance can be good for some people and a curse for others. It's all in your outlook on it and how trustworthy your partner is. Thank you for your question because that's why I posted this discussion. My boyfriend and I have been dating for almost four years. We met at college in Florida although we both live in Michigan an hour apart. While we were at college attending classes, we were together. When we got home, we were apart. We only went to school together for two years, then he attended here in Michigan locally. So...I was without him either way. At college, we were a thousand miles apart. At home, we were still 60 miles apart. So, I've had long distance for a while. It's really tested and proven strong in our relationship. I can trust my boyfriend like none other. He would never do anything behind my back. I know that after four years of trials and distance. The great thing is that we get to see each other on the weekends sometimes if it works out. I stay up at his house for the weekend (Friday night after work, Saturday, and Sunday) and he'll do the same when he comes to my house. It works out great and saves us gas because we stay the entire weekend rather than driving there and back in only a day. That also gives us three days in a row to see each other, which is really important to me. Hopefully we'll be getting engaged and married soon! Thanks again for asking. Thank you also for your awesome response. I completely agree with you. Take care, my friend!

Thank you for your thorough response! I love what you mentioned at the beginning of your answer, "The worth of a dollar can never be realized unless you lose it!" That's so true. I agree with you that a relationship should be able to withstand the test of time. If not, it's not to be. Excellent response!

I believe, as you said, communication with that significant other during the period of long distance is really important and even crucial in continuing the relationship. My boyfriend and I experienced several periods of being apart from each other. If I didn't talk to him at all, I'd feel at such a loss not knowing what was going on in his life! For this reason, I really appreciate and agree with your response. Communication with a partner during long distance is crucial! Thanks for sharing.

You're welcome. My mom works abroad and I think our way of being together (letter, phonecall, email, chat)- be able to communicate as often as possible applies to all kind of relationship.

I love how you applied this discussion to the mother-child relationship also. It's a very special and unique relationship like any other that needs to be developed and maintained even when distance is involved. Thanks again!

Great response! I couldn't have said it better myself. I believe long distance really helps prove the relationship. Your answer was awesome - thanks!

I agree with what you said, "short absence quickens love." That's so true. I don't believe having a long absence would kill the relationship if it were true love, though. Thanks for your view on this topic!