Are you considering a long distance relationship and wondering if you're up to the challenge? Make no mistake, LDRs are full of challenges that are not faced by those in geographically close relationships.

Having been in one since 2005, I have personal knowledge about some of the issues.
These are among the hardest:

• Not being able to hold each other
• Not being able to kiss
• Not being side-by-side for some of life's milestone events
• Not being able to look into each other's eyes
• Having to count the weeks, days and hours until you can be together
• Having to build a relationship over the telephone
• Not being able to physically comfort one another in difficult times
• Wondering if you can trust your partner during all the times you are apart

While the list may seem long and disheartening, I can tell you from my own experience that my LDR is one of the best things that has happened in my life. Yes, there have been tough times. And yes, there have been moments when I didn't think I could survive until the next visit. But we hung in there and I'm so thankful that we did.

As with anything there is another side to this coin and there are definitely some positive aspects in LDRs, not the least of which is the excitement that builds as visits get closer.

So is a long distance relationship right for you? Only you can evaluate yourself and your ability to cope with the adversities of such a relationship. The important thing is to be very honest with yourself and your potential long distance partner. And if you do decide to venture down this roller-coaster path, visit www.alongdistancelove.com for helpful tips to make it work. Be sure to pick up your free copy of "7 Tips for Embracing the Positives in a Long-Distance Relationship".