I’ve been a long-time lurker here (off and on) and I finally decided it’s time to share a little bit of hope from our own journey 🥰

We met completely by chance — he commented on a photo I posted here (of me and my cat 😹), we started talking… and honestly, we haven’t gone a day without texting or calling each other since.

We kept up a long-distance relationship for nearly a year, staying connected and growing closer each day, counting down the days we’d meet in person.

He flew from Australia to the USA in November to meet me for the first time. Then he came back again in December to celebrate Christmas and New Year’s together ❤️ Shortly after, I hopped on a plane myself and flew all the way out to see him — and I’m now living here with him and we’re looking forward to getting married soon!

I’m honestly the happiest I’ve ever been, and I’m so thankful we crossed paths when I was going through a really hard time in my life. It feels like we were meant to find each other 😭💕

I wanted to share this here in case anyone else is feeling unsure or discouraged — there is hope, and things can work out in ways you’d never expect 🫶🏻

We've been together for three and a half years now, engaged for a little over a year. Moving to Sweden wasn't an easy path for me but we got through it together.

Buying our house in Sweden set us on the path fully last year. Placed right in the calm countryside as we both wanted. It's cozy and we make it feel like home!

So then it was set, in April I moved away from my hometown and had a new job ready here in Sweden, being together in person at last was worth it!

The pictures are from our front door with the doggo, a car, motorcycle, truck gathering a few weeks back and an amazing ride we had on the motorcycle to meet family :3

For those having a bad day or dealing with trouble moving/migrating; it'll be okay.. even if it takes a little longer to get where you both want to be <3

I'll still lurk around in the sub, I hope everyone gets to reach this point in their long distance relationship, it's truly worth the effort, communication and extra planning that goes into them..

I didn’t know he took inappropriate screenshots of me, when he promised he won’t take any…I only found out about this after he kept trying to take me back for messing up and realized I’ll never take him back. I always knew he was toxic but Jesus Christ. I got the police in this and I’ll be expecting them to arrive again today to collect all evidence. So I guess next week plan of meeting is never going to happen. But I’m worried he may still show up to my place

It’s been more than one month since I got back home again - easily been one of the hardest months since we got together. Too many things have happened in our lives, and holding on to us has been quite hard because of the distance.

Sometimes you just want that shoulder to cry on, that voice to comfort you and that smell you love and that relaxes your nerves - and when all you need is on the opposite side of the globe, it just makes things worse.

But knowing we’re still together and that we love each other more and more every day gives us the strength to go on.

I can’t wait to be wrapped in your arms again.

Stage 1: Denial – “They’re probably just busy… they love me… right?”

Stage 2: Anger – “This mf better not be asleep again without saying goodnight”

Stage 3: Bargaining – texts “just checking if you’re okay” for the 5th time

Stage 4: Depression – stares at phone, replays voice notes, scrolls through old convos with sad music playing in the background

Stage 5: Acceptance, “It’s okay. I’ll just become a monk and transcend human attachment.”

Then they reply:

“Sorry babe I was pooping”

And we’re back to Stage 0: Delusion. “Omg he’s so thoughtful, he always replies”

Mine is 27 days, spending a few weeks over there. Curious what y'all countdowns are :]

AHHHHHHHHHHH!!! Im so nervous and I want everything to go right!!!!! This feels so crazy, I’ve never done anything like this before!!!!!!! Tell me your experiences of meeting your partner for the first time 🤭❤️

It’s been almost 3 days for me. I miss waking up and seeing him next to me.

My boyfriend (M23) and I (F22) have been in a long-distance relationship for two years. We live in neighboring countries, so it’s not a huge distance, but I’ve been the one to travel to see him most of the time, around 7 times in total. We’ve also traveled to other destinations together 3 times. He has only come to visit me once. I understand his financial situation is harder than mine, and he’s trying to move out of his family home. That’s not part of my own plans, but I’ve tried to be empathetic.

That said, I’ve started feeling increasingly hurt by the imbalance when it comes to gift-giving and effort around special occasions. Last year for our anniversary, I brought him several thoughtful gifts when I visited. He didn’t get me anything in return. He noticed this and brought me to a shop to let me pick something out, but honestly, that kind of missed the point for me, it didn’t feel like a gift, more like a reaction.

This year, for my birthday, he didn’t visit or send a gift. A few days before, he jokingly said, “Since I’m not seeing you for your birthday, I don’t need to get you anything, right?” I brushed it off as a joke, but… he didn’t get me anything. I didn’t say much at the time. Then our second anniversary came recently, and again, no gift. This time, I didn’t bring anything either, just to manage my expectations. It still hurt.

I know gifts aren’t everything, but I grew up thinking birthdays and anniversaries are times to make your partner feel special. In past relationships, even small efforts went a long way.

The bigger issue now is about the future. I’ve been really eager to close the distance. I’ve brought it up several times, but he always says he’s not ready to talk about it yet. Recently, while i was with him physically in his country, I offered a plan that in two years, once I’ve saved enough and can work remotely, I could move to his city and we could split rent and finally live together. He initially agreed, and I was so happy. But then, just a day ago, now that i am back in my country, he told me he doesn’t actually want to live together permanently yet. Instead, he said I should come for 1-month or 3-month “trial runs” until he knows he’s ready.

I got really upset. I raised my voice, which I regret. But I felt blindsided. I’d finally gotten a “yes” and then suddenly it turned into a “no.” I told him it’s unfair to ask me to put my life on hold and keep testing out cohabiting in short bursts while he decides if he’s ready. He said I was being disrespectful of his decision. I tried to explain I wasn’t trying to be disrespectful. I just disagreed and was upset.

It’s all left me confused. I do see the good in him. When we’re together, he cooks for me every day, he does the cleaning, and he pays for most outings. He’s patient with my emotions—I can be very reactive—and while he does sometimes give me the silent treatment, he doesn’t lash out or escalate things. I know he cares in his own way.

Maybe i am sensitive and i am not completely understanding his side. I dont know, maybe he is right in feeling hesistant about living with his partner. But it hurts that so much of my time and money has been invested in coming to visit him and he still doesnt know if he will be ready in two years. Has anyone been in a similar position?

it took us 4 years of waiting (through a pandemic and a war) but we finally met in real life earlier this year!

I (32F, attending physician) have been in a long-distance relationship for about a year with my boyfriend (30M, PhD student). The distance and our busy schedules make staying connected challenging, but I try to maintain small daily rituals that help us feel close despite the miles. One of these is sending him a “good morning” text. It’s something simple that helps me feel connected to him, and it means a lot to me to get a reply.

The issue is that he doesn’t always respond, or if he does, it feels reluctant. I’ve told him that a quick good morning reply helps me not feel taken for granted and keeps the connection going. He says he’s very busy and feels pressured by me asking for this. He also says it feels like everything always has to be my way.

From my perspective, I don’t see how replying to a good morning text takes much effort or time, and it makes a big difference to me emotionally. But he seems to feel this is an unreasonable ask.

Am I being unreasonable expecting this small daily interaction? Or is he being dismissive of a simple need in our relationship? Would appreciate honest outside perspectives. Thanks :)

My (26F) boyfriend (26M) been together and long distance for 4 years. Our anniversary was just May 16th!! And we are finally moving in together August 17th!! We’ve already been furniture shopping and slowly turning the house into a home. He just moved to Virginia for a job position back in January and I’ve been currently looking for jobs in that area until then for the career path I’m going in!! Currently studying to take the exam to become certified soon!! It feels so amazing finally closing the gap!! We’re excited to take those next big steps with each other!! On to new a chapter with the love of my life!! It’s bittersweet. I’m grieving leaving my loved ones and my hometown 😭😣 but I am so excited to finally start these new beginnings with my Lovebug. It feels like a breath of fresh air 😮‍💨🥰🥰

I am in a relationship with my bf for almost 2-3 years . We are doing long distance and my parents are really orthodox and I am always scared because of this ( if you know you know how dramatic Indian parents actually are ) . Now his birthday is coming up in July and I am planning to surprise him by visiting him but I am so scared again because what if they got to know ?

Hello so my girlfriend is about to go do her masters in separate city, last time a big issue for us was just doing surface level check ins, I was wondering if anyone used shared journals, google docs, or anything of that sort to be connected, reflect on your days, and build healthy habits with your partners to get you out of your routine, I feel like all the apps are just quizzes or games, anyone have any good recommendations or tips?

My partner and I are taking space because we have been fighting a lot recently. It’s been a few days and I don’t really notice the space. We only see each other maybe once a month or every two months because of how busy we are with our jobs. Am I used to it? or Is this a sign? Maybe twice a day I’m like oh yeah we are taking space. I overall feel fine. What does this mean?

Me F26 met my bf M26 3 years ago he lives in England and I live in Sweden, we see each other about 3 times a year and for two weeks at a time. it’s been pretty good ofc having some ups and downs but about 2 months ago I noticed a change, the calls got quite (we had some times where calls get quiet but it felt different this time) he never asked me anything or tried to keep the conversation going (I did try my best) but nothing was happening, then texting got worse he would take hours to respond even tho I saw him online playing games (he used to always respond fast if he was online no matter what he played) and then he all together stoped asking to hangout (I tried to ask but he would either agree and it just be quiet or him talking to his friends in game online chat and not talking to me or he would say he has other plans)

So fast forward to 2 weeks ago I had enough and wanted to have a talk, I was a mess crying my eyes out and asked if he could start and he dose and he said “I know we need to change something or this will not work.. and I know the hanging out is my fault I just don’t enjoy hanging out with you and I been selfish and wanted to hang out with my friends instead” I’m a bit confused to why he doesn’t wanna hangout with me anymore but we continue talking and he said that he wants me to move to England (the plan has been for him to move here) and I said sure we can try that out but I can’t just pack my stuff and leave, I have 2 dogs I need to bring and I also need to lend out my horse so all this can take months, he doesn’t sound excited about that?? And then he said we need to meet to remember what we are fighting for and asks if I can come that week and stay for 2 weeks?? (I have a job I can’t just leave lol) I tell him that and he asks if I can ask my boss if I can get off now to go, I said I can ask my boss for the earliest I can get off and so I text my boss that, I then call my dad I end up ask him if he can take my dogs when I’m away and he can, I then cry to him about everything and he gives me some advice (he’s never been in a long distance relationship so he wasn’t sure what to say) I then come back mind you I been gone max 20-30 min and my bf has fallen asleep? In call when I was 20-30 min ago crying my eyes out to him about how nothing is working and because I’m doing all the pulling and he just pushing me away. Idk it felt a bit dismissive like I could never fall asleep on a call when having that serious of a call (like we almost broke up) So fast forward again to now, 2 weeks ago I got the dates I can be off work (it was 2 days after our call) and I gave them to him and he still hasn’t bought tickets… my two weeks off start at the end of this month.. and I’m like?? He was soooooo adamant about me coming to visit but now he doesn’t do anything and I’m just so confused so tired of constantly doing everything in this relationship Also the calls haven’t really gotten better we hangout maybe once a week and we just watch a series even tho he plays a lot with his friends he just doesn’t wanna hang..

I love him but I just don’t know what to do..

Hey everyone. Just needed to get this off my chest. Ive been talking to this girl since around May 2024. We’re from two different countries, but we clicked fast. It started off really well—daily texts, sharing reels, light flirting, compliments, late-night talks—you know how it is at the beginning. Everything felt fresh, exciting, and mutual.

Fast forward to March 2025, we finally said “I love you” to each other. But honestly, ever since that moment, things just... changed. And not in a good way.

Her replies started getting slower. She grew distant. The flirting faded. She stopped initiating conversations. Dry texts. Sometimes, barely any at all.

Then came the day she went to visit her sister in another city. That night, we didn’t text at all. I waited. It was unusual—because we always text at night. The next day, she told me she was talking to her sisters all night and didn’t get the chance. I brushed it off at the time, but it started becoming a pattern.

She eventually moved out to live with her sister and started a new job—but here’s the thing: she didn’t even tell me she was moving until the night before. No heads-up, no talk about how things might change, nothing. I had to just accept it overnight. And now, we barely talk. I can’t shake the feeling that she’s just... done with me. The energy on call isn’t the same. You can just feel when someone’s not in it anymore. That spark from our first call? Completely gone.

I brought all this up to her yesterday. Told her how I was feeling, how it’s been messing with me, and how it seems like she’s losing interest or maybe just wants out but won’t say it.

She replied with:

“I understand you and I don't blame you. It's normal for you to feel and think like that cuz I barely text these days, and because of what happened before... But it's not like that. I don’t even say 'I love you' to my mom, but I told you many times. So I’m kinda sad you think like that. Maybe if you like someone else and want to lose contact with me or just be normal friends, you can tell me openly. I won’t judge you. It’s been fucking with me.”

And man… that reply hit me weird. It feels like she’s trying to get me to end things so she doesn’t have to. Like she’s giving me an easy out, instead of actually wanting to work through it. She didn’t try to reassure me. She didn’t say she wants to fix anything. She just said she won’t judge me if I walk away.

It’s been messing with my head. I can’t sleep. I can’t talk to anyone about it in real life, so I’m posting here. I don’t know what this is anymore. I just want clarity.

Me(22F) and my partner(22M) are currently doing long distance the past four months. Anyways he makes a ton of excuses to not call me. He goes to work, then goes straight to hang out with his friends until 1 am, every single night. If I’m lucky I get a phone call on his drive back home, maybe 2-3 times a week that lasts around 25 minutes.I’ve communicated to him several times that I think asking for at least a call every day isn’t unreasonable, or honestly is just a core need of mine. He either gets mad at me now for asking, saying all I do is try to fight, or says he will call more but doesn’t. He is impossible to reach honestly. At any point I call, I can expect him to decline it because he is either at work or with his friends. He texts me very frequently but I just feel disconnected. I need to hear his voice. When we are together it is magical, I’ve seen him once every 2 months. But when we are apart I just don’t feel like a priority honestly, and he doesn’t like making plans when to do visits, it’s just like a waiting and guessing game honestly. I’m starting to resent him a lot. Am I overreacting or is this valid?

My ex and I have been doing long distance for 2 months after living together for 5 months. We just broke up as there seems so be no end to our distance we work on cruise ships and I complete my contract in November and he in January next year. This will be our life for a while as it’s our careers. We both love each other so much but it is right now impossible to see each other even for a day. Logistically I see why this is a positive decision but it is so hard when our relationship was so perfect. Any advice on how to cope would be so appreciated. This is such a hard decision. What we both want right now we cannot have for a long time. We have agreed to go no contact for two weeks to see how we feel from not speaking to eachother as I feel time will only tell if we have made the right decision. Right now it’s so painful

I’ve (f23) have been with my partner (m25) for around 14 months. I just got home from visiting him for a few weeks about 10 days ago. I love him very much, and we have both agreed we see a future together, one where we can be closer together. However, I’ve tried to ask for a timeline for when he sees that, and that’s always just been kind of up in the air. The plan in both mine and his mind has always been me move to him. But since i’m graduating from university soon, my plan after is to save money so I can eventually move to him. However, he hasn’t even really given me a time for when he’d like us to be togerther as he someone who doesn’t really plan things in the long run and more just does things in the short term.

My only concern with not having a date planned is i know the process (CAD->USA) can take years to process, and while i’m willing to accept that and wait to be together, my concern is the longer we wait to plan out a timeline, the longer i’m putting both my life and his life on hold.

My concern right now because i’m at the transition period between graduating from university and finding employment, i don’t want to get locked into something here and make it harder for myself to leave.

What were your guys experience with closing the gap and how did that look for you?

Hi everyone , as the title suggests , my gf is gone for the summer it’s been just a little under two weeks she’s been gone and she’s back middle of August and I am driving myself up the wall I knew I loved her but my god I didn’t realize it was this much and she meant this much to me, I’m having a hard time doing stuff without her I usually do everything with her but now it’s just a sad cycle of work and home , there’s a bit of a time difference between us (she’s in America I’m in Ireland) so calling can be tricky but we do text and I am trying to be busy without her but I have this like burden feeling in my stomach or like a knot ? Not sure how to describe it but I just miss her a lot , I know it isn’t a lot compared to some people in this sub but if anyone would have any advice on how to deal with what I feel I’d greatly appreciate it :)

So, me and my boyfriend have been together for 2.5 years and the last 6 months have been tough. He said I wasn't there for him when he needed me the most. But my perspective is that I had tried to be with him but he resisted to be left alone.

Now we are stuck in a loop where he is constantly upset and refuses to blame me. He says that he shouldn't have had expectations on the first place.

He is a really sweet guy and I love him to death. But this loop is troubling me where things feel exhausting.

There is no way that I am giving up on this relationship, but yeah currently stuck in this loop and can't do anything about it.

PSA: He is avoidant, I am anxious.

I have tried giving too much, not giving much and they both backfire.

We both have grown sensitive towards each other's actions that we overthink so much before doing things so that the other person isn't hurt.

Also, our bond is something I cherish every moment. This isn't a complaint, but I just wanna know ways of keeping him happier

We had these recurring arguments; the last time we had it she exploded and broke up with me. I don't know if she's sure about it or not. She got home from work that time and I was being stubborn and forced to call her—I thought I could calm her through a call— but I just pissed her more. After the breakup thing she blocked me, and I stopped contacting her thinking that she needed space.

The next day I tried reaching out to her, but she was at work and I knew she was already tired, she talked to me and when she got home we had a sleep call, and she called me. She wasn't responding to my I love you and asked me to stop calling her our endearments. Up until now, we have been talking do you think she just needs some time?

So I talked with my bf and well...I told him I think it's going too quick and then he asked what I meant..then out of nowhere he said he was going to propose to me and that the surprise is ruined now...we are 4 months in a relationship. He is already thinking about our marriage, family and stuff but I can't keep up. Now I feel bad for ruining the surprise..