When Long-Distance Partners Meet: Picking up the Perfect Stranger at the Airport
Jon and I try to see each other every two months. Since I am currently not able to visit him in the U.S. (because as a foreigner dating a U.S. citizen, Customs is quite likely to assume that I want to illegally immigrate and not permit me entrance even for a short vacation... you can read more about this in our first post). In the past 8 months, Jon has made 4 overseas trips to see me: three times to Germany, and once to India. This two-month cycle goes something like this: Daily, we text and leave each other sweet voice messages; we talk on the phone or video chat at least once a week and keep each other updated about our lives by sending photos and videos via WhatsApp. Throughout each two month 'separation' we share hopes, dreams and worries about the future, we make each other laugh (and cry), we work through misunderstandings and different expectations as well as other difficulties that come along with a long distance relationship. And then, when the time draws nea...