When considering whether or not their long-distance relationship will work, many people wonder if the old adage is true: “absence makes love grow.”
Or is it more exactly “out of sight, out of mind”? The answer to that question is usually found in the heart of each partner.
First, consider how your partner acts when talking, whether it’s on the phone, on Facebook’s Skype, or even in person. Do they tell you they miss you? Do they act like they’re happy to talk to you or do they treat you like a burden? Obviously, in a relationship, you want to choose the person who believes in “absence makes love grow.” If he acts like it’s the best part of his day to talk to you, he’s probably a gatekeeper, and the long-distance relationship can be healthy and successful.
In this situation, it is good to consider the lesson we can learn from the average family dog. (Well, most of them anyway). Isn’t it cool how when you walk in the door after a long, hard day, the dog wags his tail uncontrollably, jumps on you for attention, and basically acts like he hasn’t seen you in a long time?
A couple that lives by the adage that ‘absence makes love grow’ will be like this … only with less barking and licking your face. Your partner should make you a priority, and when you are in contact, they should treat you as if your presence is the best thing that can happen to them in a while.
Also, try to get an idea of how your partner acts when you are not around. In a long distance relationship, this can be difficult, but if you have the opportunity to take a look at your Facebook or Twitter account, or perhaps talk to your friends or family, you should be able to find out what is going on. If they seem to be chasing other partners, are too flirtatious, or just don’t seem to remember that they have a partner in their daily activities, they may be of the ‘out of sight, out of mind’ type.
Remember that staying in someone’s heart and making them love you takes work! Send them letters (in the old snail mail), emails, text messages, and phone calls or voice messages. Obviously, don’t overdo it, but it never hurts to leave a line saying that you’re thinking of them or that you can’t wait to talk to them or see them again.