Their eyes met across a crowded computer monitor. They smiled, shyly at first, then as their confidence grew they boldly started sending messages to each other. They had so much in common, similar backgrounds, both had children, both red wine lovers. Their humorous exchanges resonated with one another -oh how they laughed!

But then the laughter stopped and things suddenly got very serious. -What are we doing?- they wondered simultaneously (because by then, they had developed some sort of inexplicable psychic connection) -Where is this going?- The reality of their situation, which until now they had both subconsciously refused to acknowledge, suddenly dawned upon them. -This can’t go on, we live in different countries!”

But, like so many other Pink Sofa love stories, this couple did go on. When common sense dictates that it doesn’t make any sense to pursue a relationship with a woman on the other side of the world, a little thing gets in the way. The heart.

So once you’ve decided that the heart is going to rule the head, how do you build a relationship that will survive the tyranny of distance? While researching this question I came across an almost endless supply of publications and on line self-help manuals but they all seemed to be written from an observer’s point of view, rather than from someone who has experienced it. So much of the following advice is what I have gleaned from the very wise women on Pink Sofa. Thanks grrls!

Do we have a future?

Talk to each other honestly about what your hopes are for the future. Are either of you prepared to move to be with the other party? If there are children involved is it even possible? Talking about your deepest fears and your highest hopes on a regular basis will keep at bay any misunderstandings about where this relationship is headed. And while reality might be hard to face, perhaps your situation is such that you won’t be together for a very long time. Can you handle it?

Have a plan

Have short, medium and long term plans in place. In the short term, decide by what means, and how often, you will communicate. Discuss your schedules on a weekly basis and set aside the time to concentrate on each other without distractions. If you were living in the same city and dating you would make plans to see each other, this is equally – if not more – important in a long distance relationship, to maintain the connection.

The medium term plan might relate to when you will spend time together physically over the next 6-12 months. Can you lock in holidays to spend time together? What are your plans for Christmas and other special celebrations?

Long term, where do you want to be? Do you imagine being in each other’s lives in 5, 10 or 20 years? What needs to happen to make that a reality? Not knowing what the future holds can be unsettling and make it very difficult to invest in the relationship.

Maintain the spontaneity

The down side of having a plan is that spontaneity tends to go out the window: Monday mornings I ring her on the way to work. Tuesday nights she rings me after the gym. Wednesday night off. And so on. Break the pattern from time to time – make a surprise phone call in the middle of the day. Send a handwritten letter instead of an email. Surprise her with a small gift. Arrange a friend to take her out for lunch. There are lots of small ways you can make her feel valued and keep the monotony at bay. Be creative!

Develop a budget

Put some regular savings aside to devote to the relationship, whether it be to help with your phone spend (see below for help with that) or air fares, be realistic about the financial cost of a long distance relationship and meet those costs up front.

Use technology

Instant messenger is a great way to keep in touch, especially if you have a webcam – Pink Sofa has an instant messenger service with a video feature.

While it’s not the same as being in each other’s arms, being able to see each other is some consolation – you can even stare into each other’s eyes!

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and Skype are two low cost methods of making phone calls using internet technology. Most mobile phones now come with inbuilt cameras so you can share your day through pictures too.

Have another trip booked

When you do manage to get together, try to have another trip already planned so that on parting, you know exactly when you will see each other again. Nothing beats actually spending time with each other – it makes all those lonely nights worth it.

Don’t sweat the small stuff

Easier said than done but small things that would blow over if you shared the same space tend to get magnified when you’re apart. If she didn’t ring when she said she would or she forgot to tell you about plans she had, let her know that it has upset you but then try and move on (unless it’s repetitive behaviour that could point to some underlying problems). Try not to be stubborn – keep the lines of communication open.

Communicate, communicate, communicate

That’s all that needs to be said, really. But do it!

Long distance relationships are not easy, but if you really feel that you have found -the one- and you envisage a future together, employing some of these tactics will help keep the love alive until you can be together in every sense.

Good luck from the Pink Sofa team!