I had a long-distance relationship for 3 years. We now live together, but our situation was perfect for my 20s.
Long-distance dating gave my boyfriend and me space to build our careers and our relationship.
The author of the story met her French partner, Maxime, while backpacking in Europe five years ago. When they fell in love, she was hesitant about the long-distance relationship, but decided to give it a try. They started dating through WhatsApp and eventually met in Paris, where Maxime showed her around the city and introduced her to his family.
They spent time skiing together, getting to know each other's friends and family. The author said that dating across the Atlantic set them up for long-term success and had surprising benefits in her 20s. They didn't feel pressure to define their relationship early on, as it allowed them to explore and build their careers separately without worrying about the impact on their relationship.
They prioritized daily conversation over physical attraction and took things one conversation and one visit at a time. After nearly three years of dating long-distance, they now live together in New York and are planning their future. The author is grateful for the three years they lived apart, as it brought them even closer together.
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