Long distance couples make it work

By Daisy Hunt

hunt0241@algonquincollege.com

Many couples take seeing each other on a regular basis for granted. But first-year advertising student Nicole Carmen cherishes the days she gets to spend with her boyfriend Cal Johnston, who lives over three hours away.

“Every time I see him I remember exactly why I’m putting up with being in a long distance relationship with him,” said 18 year-old Carmen.

While Carmen studies in Ottawa, Johnston attends Fleming College in Peterborough. They see each other on average once a month, but they communicate every day and try to keep up with each other’s busy lives.

“We're always calling each other, texting each other, or talking on msn. We talk about everything that’s going on in our lives. We always make sure we have time for each other,” said Carmen.

 Making time for one another can be difficult when factoring in conflicting school, work and other schedules, but what happens when one person goes off to travel while the other stays put? Second-year general arts and science student Cory Poulin, 21, has been doing this for the past two summers while still maintaining his two-year relationship.

“They key is communication and honesty. If you can be honest and keep an open mind to everything that’s out of your control while you’re away, the relationship takes on a deeper meaning,” said Poulin.

Poulin goes to Whistler for two to three months at a time during the summer holidays while his girlfriend stays in Ottawa. They communicate frequently by phone, though not every day.

“At first we talked every night because of separation anxiety, but we’re kind of used to it now so we’ll talk every few days,” said Poulin. 

Being apart for an extended period of time can make or break a relationship. We’ve all heard that absence makes the heart grow fonder, but there is also the stigma attached to long distance relationships that they usually don’t work out well.