Mind the Gap

Thanks to jet lag, time zone differences and fuel from tough goodbyes to loved ones, I’m prompted to post something that will never seem to end for anyone who is/was in a long distance relationship.

And that something is this: The long distance relationship never ends, and it’s tough.

My wife is from Sunny Southern California and I’m from Little Town Ontario. After being married, we were finally under the same roof after 2 or such years of boyfriend/girlfriend and fiancé/fiancée fun. So being married finally put an end to the distance. Between the two of us at least.

Then began the long distance relationship between my wife and her army of a family back home where it was always sunny. After almost 4 years of marriage which equates to 4 years away from her family, I can safely say, that it never gets easier when we have to say goodbye after a visit, after (some) phone calls or iChat sessions (thanks Steve).

I really have to give it up to my wife, who has toughed it out for these many years so far. Some days she’s really good, but like any person, some days just plain suck. For me, who in a sense is partially responsible for the distance, I can be almost speechless on those really tough days. All I can really do is give tighter hugs, be extra gentle, and now that we have kids, encourage them to do the same.

For us, we’re still unsure what the future may hold. For now, we know that it’s best we stay here in Little Town Ontario. But things could change, and my wife could be reunited with her family down the road, and I could be the one taking the brunt of another long distance tango.

It will never end. So take heed long-distance-dating friends. As you take the steps to closing the distance between you and your significant other, one of you will have to help the other mind the gap.