Does long distance love last? First person
Problem and Solution: Does long-distance love last?
First person
Name: Jack Hardy
Occupation: School teacher
Country and city: Edinburgh, Scotland
Problem:
I'm Jack, 34 years old. I teach history at school. For the past 2 years I've been in a relationship with an amazing person—her name is Kayla, she lives in Australia. We met on an online bookworm community. From there, friendship, then relationship.
A video call once a month, a few messages every day, and the occasional letter—these are what keep our relationship going.
But recently, a question has often crossed my mind—will this distance ever be bridged? How long can a relationship last, with so much effort and just on the strength of feelings?
I know he loves me. I love him too. But reality, time, location—it's all like an invisible wall.
Will this love be just a feeling? Or will we ever be able to actually sit down and have tea together?
Advice from Askly Help:
Does love mean distance?
Dear Jack,
your words touched my heart because you spoke of a feeling that is uniquely human, and one that many people carry silently.
Love is all about feeling—but the question arises when reality confronts you and says, “Your feeling is not enough.”
Still, I will say—love can never be measured solely by geographical proximity.
1. Distance is a test, not a relationship.
Jack, what you're experiencing is a difficult chapter in love—but it's not one-dimensional. Distance is just a reality, but the depth of a relationship is built on trust, respect, and sincerity.
You're keeping the relationship alive through writing—letters, calls, messages. You know, there's a certain emotion in it that's missing even in very close relationships.
2. Clarify the purpose, not the question.
Open communication is much more powerful in love than doubt. Have you sat down with Kayla and had an open conversation about these questions?
What do you two want for the future? Is anyone willing to move to each other's country someday? If the relationship is "endless waiting," then fatigue will come. But if there is "specific planning"—then distance becomes just a matter of time.
3. You don't have to carry the burden of emotions alone.
Maintaining a relationship requires equal effort from both parties. If you keep all your feelings and worries bottled up inside, the relationship becomes one-sided. And it doesn't last long.
Your love is deep and sincere—that's clear. Now you need to transform it into a shared courage between the two of you.
4. Whether it is possible or impossible depends on the criteria of effort.
Countless people today, from both ends of the earth, are weaving dreams of life together, because they have found courage in open communication, joint planning, and the determination to conquer reality.
You can too, if that desire exists between both of you.
A few last words:
Jack,
love often raises questions. But that love gives you the courage to find the answers.
If you believe this relationship is important to your life, then look at it as a possibility, not a question.
After overcoming the temporary ambiguity, maybe one day you will really sit next to Kayla and share not just tea, but your entire life.
Love can travel great distances if we give it enough heart.
May you have courage, may your love live on.
— Askly Help