5 Ways A Long-Distance Relationship Can Make Your Love Stronger

Is it absence makes the heart grow fonder, or out of sight, out of mind, that's correct?

Long-distance relationships are tricky. You can love them, hate them or not believe in them, but most Millennials seem to think an LDR is a relationship's kiss of death.

Logically speaking, being apart from your significant other for long periods of time without any physical contact just doesn't seem appealing.

And I was once someone who thought couples who chose the long-distance route were just setting themselves up for impending doom.

However, over the past year, I've learned it's the person, not the idea of being apart, that determines how you feel about a long-distance relationship.

In other words, if you love someone enough, long-distance doesn't become the bane of your existence. It actually becomes something you both want to do.

As far as LDRs go, while my boyfriend and I may not win in the time we're forced to be apart (it's only over the summer for us), we do rank pretty high up there in terms of distance: 9,311 miles.

Having an international long-distance relationship between Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and Rhode Island, America means a significant time difference and definitely its own set of obstacles.

While I was skeptical at first, being apart has not only been doable, but it's helped us both cherish our relationship even more. Whether it's three weeks or three months, here are reasons why every couple should experience long-distance at least once in their relationship:

1. What's a relationship if it isn't built on trust?

If you're not physically together, it's easy to wonder what your SO is doing in his or her spare time when you guys aren't in contact.

Is he getting close to any girls when he's having a boys' night out? Is she checking out any other men while she's at work?

These thoughts will definitely circulate through your head, but it's just your insecurities talking. Any good relationship is built on trust, and being in a LDR is the best way to not only test that trust, but to strengthen it.

If you can't trust him or her when you're apart, how can you when you're right next to each other?

2. Instills appreciation

Yes, it sucks to be apart. You miss being able to physically touch and cuddle, but that just makes you appreciate him or her even more.

LDRs make you value the times when you actually do get to be together, and it gives you both something to look forward to.

Even though it's through a screen or by savoring your SO's embrace when you're finally reunited, being thankful is good for the soul and for the relationship.

3. Fosters actual conversation

When your entire relationship boils down to Skype sessions, FaceTime calls and text messages, it means the bulk of it is really just talking.

I'm not saying you don't talk when you're physically together, but when you're apart and all you can do is just talk, you'd be surprised by how much there is to talk about.

From "how was your day?" to your SO's hopes and dreams, distance makes you realize there's so much more to a relationship than just sex or other physical aspects.

It really is about finding someone who you can talk to and laugh with for hours on end.

4. Testing your foundation

Whether you've been together for a few weeks, months or even years, long-distance loves are a great way of testing your foundation as a couple and seeing if this really is it. Not everyone can do long-distance, and not everyone has to.

But being apart puts a lot of things into perspective. LDRs shed light on what your relationship really is about.

5. Tough times don't last; tough people (or couples) do

Like I said, not every couple can do long-distance. While that doesn't mean it's the indefinite end for the both of you, LDRs show you that you both can work at what you have, if you really are invested.

When you're physically together, it's easy to take things for granted. But put a few hundred or thousand miles between you both, and that's when the real work begins.

Relationships require effort from both parties, and if you can overcome the long-distance obstacle, you'll be surprised by how much you both can accomplish as a team.