It can be really difficult to keep a relationship going over a long distance, when you aren't able to see each other and actually reach out and touch each other. My Master lives on the west coast, and i am in the midwest, so this is something that we have to deal with. It may seem odd, if you've never experienced it yourself, to be able to have real, true feelings for someone that you have never seen in person. About all that i can say is that it happens.

Obviously, its not easy to keep a long-distance relationship going. You have to deal with the realities of depending on a computer line and/or phone line to be able to keep in contact. It can really make you crazy when you have computer problems, or phone problems! You have to be willing and able to make allowances for the fact that sometimes, things are going to happen that will keep you apart, no matter how much you *need* to be together. Its really hard, but it happens. You have to be able to keep in mind that things beyond either person's control are going to happen. Master and i had a situation like that recently; we were in the middle of a very serious and heavy discussion, when suddenly He just vanished from the computer. God is that hard!!! i have to admit that it left me feeling very sad and hurt and abandoned; although i had in the back of my mind that it was some technical problem, didn't make it hurt any less. Fortunately, though, the next morning He called me on the phone and W/we were able to talk it out; He explained what had happened, and what was really important to me was that He told me that He understood my feelings; and that's why He went out of His way to call me on the phone; so that i'd know what was going on. Things like that mean A LOT in a long distance relationship.

When you're in a relationship over a long distance, its important to find little ways to feel "together" even though you are so far apart. One thing that i have done is order a little "ankle collar"; a small leather anklet with slave bells and an angel charm attached. Its small and discreet enough that i can wear it all the time with no questions asked; and it really makes me feel close to my Master even when we are apart. It was inexpensive, and a great way for U/us to feel close to each other. Also, of course, occasional phone calls and trading pictures online helps a lot. Its just a matter of each couple finding little ways to feel close to each other.

If you are, or should become in a long-distance relationship; although it can be difficult, it can also be rewarding in a lot of ways. Trust becomes very, very important; you have to be able to know in your heart that the other person is feeling the way you are. It also helps an awful lot to find friends, either online or in real life, that you can talk to when things get rough, to share both the good and the bad aspects of being apart and being in love. Even though there are definite difficulties in Master and i being so far apart; i do know that i would not trade what we have found together for anything. i'm willing to deal with the bad...because the good is so much worth it.