I’ve been staring at my computer in between episodes of Girls for the past couple of days trying to think of what I wanted this post to be about. And to be honest, I’ve got nothin’.

But, you can always turn nothin’ into somethin’ so here I go:

When you’re in a long distance relationship you create a new normal for you and your partner. Phone calls and texting become the primary form of communication, physical contact is almost unheard of, and dates aren’t really dates anymore because you’re talking to a computer screen.

After awhile this becomes normal and the relationship can fall into a comfortable or uncomfortable pattern depending on your personality style. I am totally the type of person who is all for structure, but structuring a relationship becomes an odd and inorganic task at times.

“Do you have time to call tonight?”

“Well, I’m going to the gym now but can I call you when I’m back?”

“I’m probably going to bed soon because I have to wake up early for class tomorrow…Should I just call in the morning?”

Gosh, I hate when it can start to feel like scheduling a meeting!

Yet, I have become accustomed to this relationship and it’s unrelationship-like ways. So, when Ben and I got to spend this spring break together in San Diego it was weird. I never felt uncomfortable because I love him and it was wonderful and I was always happy with a belly full of Mexican food while holding my favorite person’s hand, but there was something different about our time together.

How do you adjust from being long distance to spending 24/7 with your partner? Or vice-versa?

You have to find a new normal.

For me, I was shifting from the intangible to the tangible. No longer were Ben and I miles and miles apart. We were nose to nose and toes to toes. And it was blissful but strange all at the same time.

I guess what I’m getting at is that I never thought I was going to be able to handle being in a long distance relationship and yet now it is normal to me. While I still don’t particularly enjoy that it has become normal to me, it is. It’s something that I didn’t quite recognize until we spent five days and four nights together. It wasn’t just one or two days together where we were hanging out but seeing our family and friends on the side, no, this was just the two of us. No other distractions, just our companionship. And it wasn’t normal, not yet.

One day it will be.

Nose to nose and toes to toes.

Love,

A