I have been in a long distance relationship for over 2,5 years now. My best friend was in one for about the same amount of time. My good friend Alla from New Jersey was in one too. Lera Loeb was in a long distance relationship for Christ’s sake! If you don’t know who she is and you are living in NYC – shame on you, here is the fix for your ignorance

http://www.glamour.com/sex-love-life/2009/06/yes-this-woman-is-a-mail-order-bride

And yes, I cried when I read that story!

While brain-storming ideas for this post, I was reading some supposingly inspirational quotes, and looking for some visuals.

Man, did I get depressed! I think I was that depressed during the first 2 weeks after I was back in Russia. Some of the pictures even made me question the reality of LDRs. Do other people really see them like that? Like it’s a light at the end of the tunnel? Do we, people involved in LDRs, have some kind of a new disorder, do we need therapy, and a way out?

First of all you only get into an LDR if you WANT to be in an LDR. If you are blackmailed, forced or ultimatumed into one – get out of the relationship period.

Second, LDRs are all different. During the first 2 years of mine, my now fiance and I lived in the same country! Now we are in an International LDR, and well – that was one of the things I really wanted him to do before we got married – See my home country, and he got to use his Passport for the first time, experienced real jet-leg, and a lot of other fun things! Unlike Lera Loeb, I am not a mail order bride.

I have met only one mail order bride, she was my friend’s mom. And, unfortunately, her first husband didn’t work out, now she is on husband number 2, or three, if you count the one she had in her home country. What is my personal opinion? I have nothing against them, if this is how they choose to find happiness – so be it. Determination and Dedication are the DD’s of LDR (and no, I am not talking about Dunkin Dounuts here )

Just be careful what you wish for, because you might just get it all! And I am not only talking to the men now…

but also to women!

Now I am sure you’ve seen this movie, if you are a girl!

If you are a guy, you should probably watch this…

It’s available on Hulu.com! Or here…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ca-KCufebM

If you google Long Distance Relationship, you will end up with about 4,100,000 results (0.08 seconds). That includes – definitions, descriptions, advice, quotes, men’s side of the story, women’s side of the story, and a lot of other not very interesting, and useless information. As I have told you earlier, it made me depressed! I will have to double dose myself with Chelsea Lately just to get over this!

Here is my advice: DONT GET INTO A LONG DISTANCE RELATIONSHIP JUST TO BE IN A RELATIONSHIP.

Don’t get into a long distance relationship because you really like this one person and you saw someone make it work, and you think you can make it work. YOU MUST BE SURE!

Before you get yourself into a LDR ask yourself this – Do I see myself marrying this person? Can I live the rest of my life with him/her? Is he the one I see standing at the altar? Is she the one I see walking down the aisle?

Be ready for time difference, travel expenses, seeing each other every 2-3 months (this is actually the time I would recommend you maintain in between the trips/visits).

Now you are probably wondering, why is this crazy girl not talking about love? Seriously, when talking about LDRs I think it’s pretty self-explanatory!

What makes me a LDR expert? I am in one, I believe it’s enough!

Love and lace flowers

Xoxo

PS. All my friends are happily married to their Long Distance Relationship parters. Their marriage is not long distance!