Long-distance relationships aren’t always difficult, but most relationships experience moments of deep suffering. For some couples, these moments last for months. With no money in the bank for a visit and no energy in your heart for crying, suffering and lament become the status quo. We sank into a season like that during the second …
Why Does God Allow Suffering in Long-Distance Relationships? Read More »
For the past six months, I’ve been suffering deeply. The country where I live does not have cheese. Sure, I can get a spreadable, knock-off version of Velveeta or a bag of frozen, flimsy mozzarella, but no real cheese. No sharp cheddar, no shredded parmesan, and no bleu cheese other than a salad dressing in …
I’ve always been in love with love. Growing up, I was that annoying friend who was always asking who you liked and never taking “no one” for an answer. I just couldn’t believe my middle school friends and their contented singleness was real. Personally, I couldn’t recall a time when I hadn’t liked a boy. …
The key to rocking your first family Christmas is to prioritize loving your boyfriend, his family, and Jesus. For the most part, implementing this strategy happens during the actual event. However, it also really helps to be prepared. You might assume your families operate basically the same way, but that’s probably not the case. I …
Family Christmas Survival Guide for Dating Couples Read More »
Are the benefits of a long-distance relationship few and far between? If we’re talking about the near future, then yes. Long-distance relationships are not for people who thrive on instant gratification. But if you’re the type of person who’s in it for the long haul — the type of person who knows that waiting sweetens …
3 Long-Term Benefits of a Long-Distance Relationship Read More »
This interview is the first edition of Long-Distance Love Stories, a collection of stories and insights from real couples who dated at a distance. Just as farmers were beginning to plant crops in 2015, the first seeds of Carly and Marshall Viland’s relationship were sown at a church in rural North Dakota. The two were …
Your long-distance relationship is progressing extremely well. Everyone senses your potential to be a power couple for Christ. You can’t wait to get married and start doing ministry together. The only problem is the ever-present elephant in the room: You’re apart right now. I know the frustration of that elephant. You focus all your energy …
During the second year of our long-distance relationship, I became bitterly angry with God. As we approached yet another Valentine’s Day apart, the pain of missing each other was tearing us apart inside. Our video calls were ending with weeping, and I felt the winter outside my window settling upon my hope in Christ. I …
Get printable Bible verse cards for your long-distance relationship Email it to me God cares about you and your long-distance relationship, and he’s spoken to you through his Word. His words written in the Bible promise joy in sadness, truth in uncertainty, and hope in discouragement. I know because reading the Bible gave me both …
30 Helpful Bible Verses for Long-Distance Relationships Read More »
When my husband and I started dating, I braced myself for the well-known difficulties of a long-distance relationship. I expected to feel sorrow about our separation and longing for the next visit. I expected to feel frustrated with our communication and uncertain about our future. But I never expected to feel so lonely. Perhaps it …
When Others Can’t Relate: 3 Lies Told By Loneliness Read More »
Recently, I was delighted to learn that one of my friends is engaged. My friend and her fiancé have dated long-distance for a year, and they will remain apart until they marry next summer. Not many people can relate to the agony they feel in separation or the longing they have for their wedding day. …
Heartache and long distance relationships are frustratingly inseparable. Sure, distance has its moments of joy. But it also has its moments of deep, deep sadness. When my heart is crushed by this level of sorrow, I don’t want a shallow song. I want something that articulates both my grief and God’s goodness. I want something …
If you’re in a long-distance relationship, you might be curious to learn what’s “normal” for dating at a distance. While long-distance relationship statistics and facts rarely tell the whole story, they do a great job of highlighting trends. Lucky for us, long-distance relationships are an intriguing research subject for scholars. Researchers have studied them through …
5 Well-Researched Long-Distance Relationship Statistics (2020 Update) Read More »
Long-distance dating is an emotionally restless ride. Like a car crawling through heavy traffic, your relationship lurches between the joy of reunion and the sorrow of separation. The upheaval of emotion can be nauseating. With no idea if you’ll ever reach your desired destination, you wonder, “Why did I take this route?” Of course, as a …
Note: I wrote this letter to a friend just before her relationship became long-distance. I’m sharing it here with her permission. In less than a week, your boyfriend will be moving across the world. You won’t be able to visit him for at least a year, and you have no idea what the future holds. …
Whether you’ve been together for two years or you’ve never lived in the same place, writing a statement of purpose for your relationship can help you move forward with intentionality. Businesses spend months brainstorming, planning and writing their mission and vision statements. While you don’t need to agonize over the process, the point is that …
If you have a friend in a long-distance relationship, you may be wondering how you can best support her. If so, I commend you for your desire to love her well as a friend. Your friend has likely received a lot of skepticism about her long-distance relationship from others. Perhaps you’re a little skeptical about …
7 Ways to Support Your Friend In A Long-Distance Relationship Read More »