Long Distance Relationships - Bringing People Together Over Long Distances
The concept of a long distance connection might seem contradictory; after all, it seems that people being physically apart should drive them apart, not bring them closer to each other. Interestingly enough, research and current studies have shown that people who are involved in long distance relationships are often actually closer with their companions than people who consistently see each other. It takes a bit of effort to fully grasp why this actually is, but when we understand the power of long distance relationships, the answer is clear.
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In essence, long distance relationships are the involvement of two people on a deeper emotional level (friendship or love, for example) over a long distance. Long distance relationships are seen in real life as well as in stories. One famous long distance relationship is that of Abigail Adams and John Adams, a couple who wrote extensive letters to each other. While John Adams was away in Washington, the two maintained communication over a long distance, which allowed them continue their contact and emotional bond even when he was away.
The primary reason for long distance relationships being so effective at bridging emotional gaps between people is that they can be more intimate. Text and phone calls can in some cases bring people emotionally closer than actual dates might. A powerful mental bond can be created. The couple can more easily share emotions and feelings over long distance messages.
Of course, long distance relationships suffer from problems as well. For example, people may have a hard time staying faithful to each other when they do not have a physical connection as well. Human beings are simply programmed biologically to enjoy physical contact, so relationships which do not have physical contact may be at risk because of this factor.
That is not to say that long distance relationships cannot undergo the test of time and fail. John and Abigail Adams are of course one example of this. In fact, when people maintain a long distance relationship over a significant time, they may be better able to remain friends than people in close contact could. This is especially true when they simply agree to be friends, without any bonds of fidelity coming into play at all.
People also do bring long distance relationships into close relationships, as well. Sometimes people will move to be closer to each other after long times apart. In fact, social networks on the internet thrive in this way, as well as matchmaking programs which bring together people with similar interests. The internet is extremely powerful and bringing together couples who would have never known each other otherwise. Matchmaking services are specifically powerful for this reason, creating happiness between people which would not have been there without the service.
The idea of having a close connection to another person over a long distance instead of simply choosing from local people who live in one's home town is an interesting concept, to be sure. Humans are the only animals who exist that can have connections like this because of our advanced brains and capacity for emotional involvement. We might well be more compatible with people who live across the country than with people who live right in our own locations.
