While your relationship had been going smoothly, all of a sudden your boyfriend tells you he's leaving town for a new job. Suddenly you fear that your relationship might be over. Fortunately, your fears might be exaggerated. When both you and your boyfriend are invested in the relationship, you can keep your love strong despite the distance. However, you must both possess the attitude and determination to make it work.
Have a serious talk about the status of your relationship. Before your boyfriend leaves town, you want to make sure you are both on the same page. In a long-term relationship, you might feel more secure about your boyfriend's move since you've already been through thick and thin. If your relationship is new, however, it's time to determine if you're both willing to make things work with miles between you.
Identify the specific ways you will make your relationship work after your boyfriend moves. If he's moving across the country, think about how often you can realistically fly to visit him or he can visit you. If he's moving to a town an hour north, talk about spending your weekends together. Creating a schedule where you can see each other regularly is key to keeping your relationship strong.
Embrace technology. Create online video chat accounts so you can see each other after your boyfriend has moved away. Being able to see each other every day will keep you connected, even if you are physically apart.
Offer your support. The decision to move surely was not an easy one for your boyfriend, and he might be struggling with his choice. Having a supportive girlfriend will help him during this difficult time, and he will appreciate you even more.
Discuss the long-term consequences of the move. You should not expect your boyfriend to ask you to move with him, although he might hint at it. However, you cannot be in a long-distance relationship forever, so talk to him seriously about his future. Is his move a temporary one, or does he see himself growing his career in the new location? His answers to these questions will reveal a lot about the future of your relationship.
Take advantage of your free time away from your boyfriend. Rather than sitting around moping that your boyfriend is gone, embrace some of this new free time. Meet up with girlfriends whom you haven't seen in a while. Volunteer. Sign up for some classes, or take up a new hobby. Your new focus will help you forget the sadness of your boyfriend moving out of town.
Writer Bio
Barbie Carpenter worked as a technical writer and editor in the defense industry for six years. She also served as a newspaper feature page editor and nationally syndicated columnist for the Hearst Corp. Carpenter holds a Bachelor of Science in journalism from the University of Florida and a graduate certificate in professional writing from the University of Central Florida.