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 near to see each other again, we become increasingly giddy and excited - and anxious. The anxiety is because each time we get to see each other again, its feels like we are preparing for a first date: Emotional overload!

Each time I head to the airport to pick Jon up, I get butterflies in my stomach... It's a blind date that I just know is going to go well. Its a feeling as if I get to meet my favorite actor for the first time. And along with all of that comes the anxiety for both of us of somehow screwing up. What if he remembers me differently and doesn't really like the "actual" me anymore? What if I don't fulfill her expectations? Will we kiss right away? Should I run up to him? What if I make a fool of myself - will she still like me? 

But our advice to all the other long distance couples out there is: Don't worry! You will be fine. You know so much about your partner's hopes, dreams, likes and dislikes. Because unlike many "short distance" couples, long distance partners simply talk to each other a lot -  so much - because talking is the basis of long distance relationships. If you cannot "really talk" with your partner, your long distance relationship will not last. However, if you live close to each other, it is easy to "not really talk". You can watch movies together, go out together, do everyday life together. All those things that "normal couples" do, that don't necessarily require all that much talking -- things that all of us long distance couples are so jealous of. And that's why we cherish those "3-D moments", those normal dates, because they are so scarce and hence so special. So your perfect stranger at the airport will soon again turn into the partner you have been waiting for. And your partner will fall even more in love with you when you are a little insecure at the beginning, because it shows that you are still a bit nervous to see them, no matter how long you technically have known each other.

With that, there is a lot of beauty in having so many 'first dates' with Jon and the anxiety that goes with them. We get to experience all of those feelings of curiosity, awkwardness and excitement over and over again that many only feel on their actual very first date... 😊