a tool for survival.

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Today, you can find me guest posting at KT's Refinishing School! As a fellow long distance survivor, she suggested I talk about how {cv} and I survived our years apart. When I thought a little bit more about it, a lightbulb went off in my head. In the 21st century, I would also argue that the phone has become the most important accessory in a long distance relationship.

It's sad but true. A few pieces of plastic {and metal?} are what connect us to our love on the days we're apart. When {cv} and I were long distance, there were few times when the phone wasn't somehow attached to my body. {I promise I didn't wear a hip holster though--I am aware it's a fashion don't!} 

I'd love to get your take: 
Do you think the phone is a survival tool in a long distance relationship?
Or is the phone becoming extinct because of new technology like skype?

For more on what I deemed the most important long distance accessory, 
hop on over to KT's Refinishing School :)

And before I go, {cv} and I were absolutely overwhelmed with your love and prayers yesterday. I'm absolutely positive they helped: though Gus isn't "back to normal," he's certainly acting a little less confused. No word from the vet yet, but I'll be sure to keep you posted. And give your animals 
another extra squeeze for Lucy today :) Much love, {av}

P.S. Taking a blogging break? Going on vacation? I'd be happy to help fill in! Email me!

28 comments:

  1. So glad to hear yesterday was a little easier than the day before :) You all continue to be in my thoughts and prayers!

    Thank you so much for guest posting! Your post made me smile because I spent 10 days in France during our first summer apart and remember trying to find pay phones and using phone cards to try to talk!

    I'm glad both you and {cv} and J and I didn't have to date across the Atlantic for the whole of our long distance dating! Thanks again {av}, you're the best :)

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  2. SKYPing helps me keep in with several of my friends who live in other countries or in another state. It makes it almost like we're hanging out in the same room. We make SKYPE dates!

    xxxx
    www.brittanyhavican.blogspot.com

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  3. I'd totally agree that the phone is vital. But while The Ranger was deployed, we rarely got to use the phone. Strangely enough, the Army allowed Facebook chat (but not gchat?) and we e-mailed a lot. I still sent "snail mail" too - and lots and lots of care packages. If I'm out of the country (France today!) ... it's SKYPE that keeps me connected. Nothing better than a quick video chat with your loved ones.

    Keeping you and {cv} in my thoughts this week - hope you're doing better!

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  4. I think it's hard to pinpoint just one thing that helps with surviving long distance relationships. I think Skype helps (my boyfriend doesn't enjoy it as much as I do--why, I have no idea), phone and internet. A lot of nights my boyfriend and I will just chat online...we dont have to be on the phone spending tons of minutes, can be watching tv or doing other things but still be keeping in contact. The phone is important through the day for the texts that make you smile, and the phone calls to keep you in touch and hear each other's voices.
    I'd say they are all equally important parts, because in a long distance relationship, you need any and all kinds of communication since you dont have the physical luxury of being in-person all the time.

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  5. The phone is still crucial to a long distance relationship. I personally love talking on the phone when I am driving. Might not be the best thing...but it seems to be when I have the time to have long conversations with people. My ex was anti-technology so he never wanted to skype. I think it is a matter of preference, but I don't think a phone call will ever be replaced by skype!

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  6. YES! The phone saves my life. If it broke or I didn't have it for a couple days, I might be VERY depressed! ha

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  7. I agree! I'm definitely a phone person...we text, call and e-mail each other throughout the day. Skype is important but we only Skype maybe once a week!

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  8. My bf and I have been long distance for 2 years. Only 2 more to go! (He's completing his degree) and i agree my phone is my lifeline. If we don't talk as much we check in a lot with BBM since we both have Blackberrys. I know it's not ideal but sometimes just getting a little heart or a hello during class or when I'm feeling lonely is all it takes to remind me that out there is someone who loves me. We don't skype that often but we do make dates out of it!
    Cheers to beating the long-distance odds!
    xoxo
    Whit

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  9. Phones are completely essential. My hubs (bf at the time)and I spent just 4 months apart, and while we skyped, we never lost contact beacuse of a random text or picture throughout the days.

    <3
    aj

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  10. the phone and internet are both important for long distance survial... and mini weekend dates if possible. im now a huge skype fan too ;) xoxo jcd:: enter to win my jewelry giveaway !!

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  11. yes to your first question. I don't think a long distance relationship can survive without communication. My cellphone was the key element for me when I was dating.

    I think it's so weird I am no longer in a long distance relationship, but I really enjoy reading your posts "like if I were in one." I think you're awesome & give great advice

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  12. I heart my phone, texting, and all the lovely technology that comes with it, but I think texting is horrrrible for relationships. People no longer pick up the phone and call each other.

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  13. Haven't been in a long distance relationship, but with the amount I love to talk, the phone is going nowhere anytime soon!

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  14. When I moved to France, I never went anywhere without my phone because talking to my boo was rare so I needed to take the call wherever I was! I totally took for granted the little phone calls and texts just to say something sweet because they turned into a fortune while I was gone! It was hard but we for sure appreciate the phone now!

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  15. I survived a long distance relationship as well, and I think the phone is definitely key!!

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  16. I'll use the phone over Skype any day! My bf & I live 3 hours away, so we're constantly on the phone with eachother. We've skyped a few times, but sometimes our wireless internet connection is spotty & it sounds like we're in a wind tunnel.

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  17. skype always seems to freeze on me, but i think i'm impatient and have been using the phone for so long that i can't imagine the alternative. i also have my husband tucked into my bed with me each night, if i didn't, i'm sure skype and i would be bff.

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  18. The phone and internet are definitely important and helpful tools in communicating with people long distance. Skype is great because you can see each other face to face! Love the picture collage! XOXO

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  19. i survived a long distance relationship, engagement (and now the occasional business trip), and may i say, thank GOD for phones! we've skyped with family members but never each other, surprisingly, and i don't know where we'd be without BBM. it is so easy to use for a quick message <3

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  20. Phones are definitely an important thing when doing distance - since Jurg was in South Africa we normally used skype, but it's still nice to have the option of using a phone when you really just want to hear the other persons voice, but aren't near a computer.

    With a 10 hour time difference between us, emails were also a way we communicated - and it was so exciting getting long and thoughtful emails - I used to read them over and over again :)

    xoxo
    Jenna

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  21. Aww I'm glad things are getting better...and the phone is definitely here to stay with long distance relationships--maybe texting is taking over though...

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  22. Thank you for your super sweet comment this morning :) Made my day! Have a blessed afternoon! xoxo

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  23. Such a terrific post! Skype is great, but the phone means you can stay in touch when you're in class, on your way home and everywhere that isn't in front of the computer-and John and I certainly needed ours to get through our year apart!

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  24. Ah yes, I am a fellow long distance survivor as well! 3.5 years apart! For us, the phone was so super important. We could text throughout the day and call each other at the end of the day. We could use it anywhere, anytime. Emails and snail mail were important to us too since we seemed to keep going over on our minutes.

    We only used Skype at the latter part of our long distance relationship and I think it's a great alternative to a phone call! You get to see the person! :) But, you can't just Skype anywhere, ya know?

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  25. Currently in a long distance relationship, going on three years! We're separated by the Atlantic, 5 hours, and the struggle to get a US Visa. The phone, email, Skype, and even Facebook are KEY. There are many other factors and every relationship is different, but these technological advances make it possible for anyone to try a long distance relationship.

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  26. When my BF and I were long distance we would talk for hours. Funny now when we talk on the phone it's for about 5 minutes! What did we talk about for hours?!?! hehe

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  27. The phone is so, so critical.

    Just came across your site and so glad I did because officially, I'm not official with my boy, solely for the reason that he is German and in Germany, and I just moved home to California. But he is coming to visit this month and we'll be having the "what are we [doing]" talk, so this is perfect timing :)
    Anyway, love, love, love that we both have iphones and can use a "chat app" like texting. So important for us.

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