The simple lack of her is more to me than others’ presence. -Edward Thomas From Gretchen B.: My husband of nearly ten months and I were separated by about 700 miles during our courtship and engagement.  Our relationship was different from some because we knew each other growing up and his family still goes to…

We were apart for four years. We were interested in each other for about a year of that. We were in a relationship for nine months of that. The closest we ever were was five hours’ drive from each other; the furthest we were apart during this time was the three months I was in Africa 5,500 miles away from David!

I am not an expert on spending time apart from the person you know is your other half. Honestly, I can be quite a piner! I have to say, however, that being apart simply makes time spent together that much sweeter – and that lasts long into being married. Take joy in all aspects of your life: God is weaving them all together for good. Pursue holiness in your relationship, whether together or apart, for that is what matters. Take pictures for each other to catch a glimpse of your day; email each other recordings of your voices, sharing some favorite thoughts or verses to listen to over and over again. Be creative in your communication. Start habits in how you communicate, and seek to bless each other in a way that will last for years.

Absence – that common cure of love. -Lord Byron From Anna: I am currently in a long distance relationship, with the intent to get married after college. We are not currently engaged. We are about 4 hours apart, and we have withstood this first year of waiting. There will be three more, possibly four more….

My husband and I lived thousands of miles apart in the months prior to becoming engaged. It was a great experience, allowing us to take our relationship slowly and get to know each other through letters. Since I was teaching English in Japan, he sent me all kinds of things to use in my classes…

Absence doth sharpen love, presence strengthens it; the one brings fuel, the other blows it till it burns clear. -William Shakespeare From Katie I think that the distance has mostly been a blessing in disguise. Without being able to be with each other (sometimes being apart for months), the only thing we have is communication….

“You know what they say,” people would tell me.  “‘Absence makes the heart grow fonder’…” I’d smile, for in fact, it was the way I often comforted myself in those years of being hundreds of miles apart from the man I wanted to marry. “…Fonder for someone else!”  They’d often add.  Teasingly, of course.  Yet…