Planning: Tips For The Long Distance Marriage
By Kristal Johnson (WedNet Specialist Blogger for Wedding Planning): Event Source Northwest: http://www.eventsourcenw.com/kristal.html
Marriage is a complicated relationship. I’ve only been married 5 months and I’ve already managed to figure that out… That’s why much to my surprise, my Father announcing his engagement to his girlfriend of only a few months on Christmas morning came as such a shock to me. For most people getting engaged is a time of celebration, but in this case it was more confusion. My parents split over 10 years ago and my father had never showed any signs of wanting to remarry. He hadn’t even held a girlfriend longer than a couple of months! That’s what makes me a little skeptical of the idea, but I’m happy that he’s happy, and am going to support them the whole way through.
The one thing that makes me most concerned is that they live 3,000 miles apart! Each of them have successful businesses in their home states, and have multiple teenagers, not to mention ex-spouses who are still very much involved in their lives.
Being apart physically makes a marriage even more challenging, that’s why I’ve come up with some tips for them and anyone else who is facing a long distance marriage.
- COMMUNICATION is key! In all relationships communication is #1 to keeping it alive. Talk everyday!
- TRUST: Long distance marriages will fail if there is lack of trust between partners.
- MAKE TIME FOR ONE ANOTHER! Do this by sending an email, a letter, a phone call, writing in a journal, or instant messaging.
- EXPECTATIONS: Share your feelings about being apart from one another, and your expectations for when you are together again.
- BE HONEST: Don’t hold back your fears or concerns about your separation. Talk it out.
- KEEP IT FRESH: Since you’re apart most of the time it shouldn’t be hard to keep your relationship fun and fresh. Try new places, see new attractions, cuddle, have FUN together!
I’m by far not an expert on relationships, but I’m hoping for my Father, and others that this information is useful. All you need is Communication, Trust, Patience, and a good sense of humor and everything should work out just fine!