B and I are no stranger to long-distance. When we started dating I was 19 and we lived in two different central Texas cities. It wasn't until 3 years later and within the 6 weeks in which we planned our wedding that we even lived in the same city. You can read more about our wedding planning in this post.
Now that we're 100% pursuing moving back to Texas, he's spent the majority of the past month in Austin & San Antonio while I've stayed in Kansas City to organize our belongings, walk once more in Kansas City Fashion Week, and hammer out the logistics of working remotely for my current company.
3 weeks apart from him in August was hard. Here's the real kicker: this time, it's 5 weeks before I'll see him in person again. October 5th can not get here fast enough!
If you saw my latest insta, I listed a few things that have been keeping me going through this final (fingers crossed! 🤞🏼) stretch of separation.
Now that we're 100% pursuing moving back to Texas, he's spent the majority of the past month in Austin & San Antonio while I've stayed in Kansas City to organize our belongings, walk once more in Kansas City Fashion Week, and hammer out the logistics of working remotely for my current company.
3 weeks apart from him in August was hard. Here's the real kicker: this time, it's 5 weeks before I'll see him in person again. October 5th can not get here fast enough!
If you saw my latest insta, I listed a few things that have been keeping me going through this final (fingers crossed! 🤞🏼) stretch of separation.
Here are a few more to add to the list.
1. Stock up on your favorite movies and books.
That meant a trip to Half Price Books for me to pick up some childhood favorites by Tamora Pierce and Shannon Hale that weren't available at the library, and of course The Mummy (yes, that one with Brendan Frasier).
2. Watch movies or TV shows simultaneously together.
Before B left, we had been working through the Murdoch Mysteries TV series. Since Hulu doesn't take us all the way up the latest seasons, we've had to rewatch old episodes. We even tried to Netflix Party a random movie, but experienced some technical glitches. We're trying out Sync Video next.
3. Leave behind a love note scavenger hunt
B left notecards for me to find in places he knew I'd seek out. On top of the cereal box, inside my Pride and Prejudice DVD, on top of my Anne of Green Gables books, inside one of my Harry Potter books, stuck to my mirror in the bedroom, and elsewhere. Each had a cute note or memory or instruction from him to keep me from moping while he's away.
4. Snapchat lets you video call!
Take advantage of it. 😉
5. Learn a language together.
We started using Duolingo when we were preparing for our Italy vacation last summer. We've continued to compete with each other as we learn Spanish. I'm still winning.
6. Start a private book club
One of our wedding presents was the 5 Love Languages Bible. We only recently started reading through it together and participating in the daily devotionals. Because our spiritual wellbeing as a couple and as a family is very important to us when we're near or far, we want to continue growing in our faith even at a distance. It's easy for me to send him a quick text with the verses for the day, and then we can discuss on the phone in the evening.
7. Nothing beats a handwritten letter.
Become penpals. It's so easy to take advantage of all the technology we have - Snapchat, Gmail, Facebook, Instagram, cell phones - and you should take advantage of all of it! But there is something deeply romantic about a handwritten letter written by your love. Buy yourself some pretty stationary, stock up on stamps, and keep that perfume handy.
8. Lean on your friends.
Plan a girls' night, meet up for lunch, send each other stupid memes. Sure, going out as the third-wheel or in a big group can feel strange if your S/O is normally right alongside you, but guess what? It's kinda fun. Don't let yourself sit alone at home if what will make you feel better is going out to the dog park or meeting up for coffee with your bestie.
I'll add this here - I have no idea how to survive living alone and getting sick. If one of my best friends hadn't been able to come by with Nyqil, homemade chicken noodle soup, and a book to read when I got sick the very first night after B left, I would have been in trouble.
9. Don't be afraid to ask for what you need.
Is one phone call a day just not cutting it? Does it drive you crazy if your S/O doesn't respond to a text until hours later? Do you want more goofy snaps and selfies as you go about your day? Communication is key, even in established relationships. Is requesting your S/O create a bitmoji a little ridiculous? Maybe! But does it make you feel better and is it not a huge imposition on him? Then go for it!
10. Plan your reunion
B has already told me about all of the new recipes he can't wait to make for me. Trust me, I've missed his cooking and can't wait for some yummy new meals that we can share together. We've also started a list of must-sees in Austin, and I've started a Pinterest board for how we (in all seriousness, how I) want to decorate our new apartment. It's nice to look forward to the future with excitement and a goal, instead of focusing on how hard the right now is.
