taking a twirl.

I'm delighted to share another sweet story of long distance survival this week! Steve and Sydney {from take me for a twirl} are two Canadians in love :) Read on to find out about how these two busy bees make it work amidst school and work... 

Name: Sydney

Significant other’s name: Steve

When did you start dating? We started dating at the beginning of 2010. I was in my fourth year at university, a senior resident advisor in the all women’s dorm and ready to take on the world. I was on a mission: my leadership council, school, friends and family. A boyfriend was definitely not in the plan, but then, there was Steve. He kept popping up all over the place being all nice, considerate and polite--and he listened to me. We started hanging out more and I finally realized we had an amazing connection. I knew something this real didn’t come around often.

At what point did you start dating long distance? During the summer of 2010, he got a job at our school doing summer maintenance (very “manly” things like moving furniture and driving a truck) and I got a job back in Toronto. We were both going to work through the summer and then hit the books for a final year at university. As so often happens with best-laid plans, midway through the summer, Steve got a job offer from the University of Manitoba to be a residence coordinator. It was a sad day when he finally packed his bags and made the move. Before he left, we spent one final weekend together in Niagara Falls, which is the cheesy romance capital of the world. (Our hotel room even had a heart shaped bath tub!) Our current long distance situation began at the end of July this summer.

How do you fill your days when you’re apart? His new job requires all sorts of crazy hours and Steve loves it! As for me, school started back again, which keeps me on my toes and my nose in the books. Despite both of us having full schedules, we are never too busy to text during the day or for a quick five minute phone call at lunch or before bed.

What do you find most difficult about being long distance? I miss the little things the most: making a meal together, watching a movie on the couch, and little kisses on the top of my head. The small meaningful moments that used to fill my days are few and far between these days. As I look back, I appreciate those we do have so much more. I know that even though we can’t share them every day, it doesn’t mean we don’t have something to look forward to soon.

How has long distance changed your relationship? Our relationship has taken on a new dimension since Steve moved away. Our bond as a couple is much stronger. When you begin a long distance relationship, you have a little spot in the back of your mind where you know that your relationship can do one of two things: it can fall apart or it can grow. Ours grew--and still is growing. We don’t get to talk every day, but I know Steve is always thinking about me and he is always on my mind. Every time we get the opportunity to talk on skype, Steve says, without fail that “absence makes the heart grow fonder”. It certainly does. Knowing we can make it through this time together gives me so much hope for our future. I know that we will be a better couple on the other side.

What do you enjoy most about the time you have together? I seriously enjoy hugs the most. It sounds like such a simple thing, but there is something about getting a hug from your partner that nobody else in your life can replace. It doesn’t hurt that Steve gives amazing bear hugs. I can’t wait until the next time I see him to get my hug fix!

Is there any end in sight to your long distance days? Yes! Thankfully! Steve is currently on a two-year contract, so once it is up, he is free to roam. I am applying to Midwifery school for next September. We have agreed to be together based on my choice of school and I couldn’t be happier about it! Going through school is going to be a lot easier with my main man by my side!

Be sure to send some love in Sydney's direction today! I can't thank her enough for sharing their story with all of us today...it is so encouraging to see another long distance couple who has learned to make it work. For those of you out there with miles between you and your significant other, keep the faith! 

I hope you have an incredible Wednesday. Until tomorrow...