[thedivahrrrself]

Originally Posted by always2late

Sometimes I think that I am more suited to LDRs, that my personality just lends itself better to those relationships. I like to be alone, I like having my own space. Although I am extremely physical, and very physically affectionate, I sometimes find that being with someone, living with them on a daily basis, strains me. I don't know how else to explain it, and don't mean to sound like I am icily aloof, I guess I'm just someone who can be content being alone or being in a distant relationship. Forgive my meandering thoughts, and inability to explain exactly what I mean...it's late, and insomnia tends to make me ramble on a bit.

I think I get what you are trying to say. Oddly, I'm terrible at being alone, but that is one of the reasons I think LD works for me. It forces me to be alone. It forces me to believe in myself and to have faith that a fight or those occasional patches of emotional distance won't be the end of the relationship. I tend to become whatever I think someone needs me to be, but when I'm not surrounded by their presence, I can't do that. I have to just be me and hope that he'll accept that.

The distance also forces me to move slowly and to be more cautious, something I have not done in the past. It allows me to evaluate a potential long-term partner from a distance, which is helpful. When someone is in front of me constantly, it's very easy to be blinded by the things I love about them and to ignore the things that should be big red flags. LD gives me long flights home to evaluate how I feel after each trip and reaffirm that (or question whether) I want to keep moving forward.

Originally Posted by Gemme

Not LDR related, but my dad and stepmom are married but live in different homes. Two doors down from one another. As a kid, I thought that was messed up but now....now I get it. They have their own spaces and they visit with one another during the day. He fixes her broken stuff and she cooks for him. Very traditional. Except for the fact he goes home to his own house at the end of the day. I require a lot of ME time and like sleeping alone too, so it could be genetic.

I know a couple who have lived like this, about a mile apart, for 14 years. It works very well for them. My friend Mel's parents also lived in separate houses for 20+ years until he died. It seems people can make almost any arrangement work if they love each other.

Originally Posted by rustedrims

We have a long distance friendship going on.It is nice and comfortable.The phone calls are great and skyping can get intresting. Texts are random throughout the day. We talk about alot of stuff and i dont have anymore secrets.Some days are kinda hard when one of us needs a real hug or a little peck on the cheek.We both miss the human touch.

The part about not having secrets really sticks with me. I am so used to having carried so many secrets for so long that the burden was becoming unbearable. One of the hidden blessings of this LDR has been realizing that I can't keep holding on to those by myself, though I think at many times, my love may wish that I had! Through letting him in to see my vulnerabilities and flaws, I am learning more about myself and learning to deal with things that had been left unresolved for a long time.

For me, this is a really transformational time in my life, from many angles, and being in an LDR has allowed me the space to evolve both emotionally and intellectually on my own while simultaneously connecting with someone who is not intimidated by that.