Nothing Is Impossible With Christ!

The idea of being in a long distance relationship sounds impossible, dreadful, unimaginable, crazy, stupid, scary, and every single synonym to the word bad.

Seriously, who wants to spend days, weeks, months and maybe even years apart from the person they love the most? No one. No one wants to be in a long distance relationship—simple as that.

But unfortunately, in some circumstances that type of relationship must occur between two love birds enable to move forward in their lives. Whether a couple is apart for a semester because of school, weeks because of work, or years because of life, every single long distance relationship (LDR) IS HARD. Period.

And I can testify to that completely. Mi novio (that’s boyfriend in Spanish) de sies meses (of six months) is from Guatemala City, Guatemala. I met him on the Friday before my junior year at the University of the Incarnate Word at an International orientation day called the iRetreat.

We became friends after I told him I went to Belize in the summer and he told me “Cool, but I’m not from Belize, I’m from Guatemala.” A short semester later we started dating on December 20^th. Knowing he was undeniably leaving just a short five months later, we knew we had to make the best out of the time we had. And with our strong faith, we know we will be able to and are able to overcome the long distance. Initially because we know God is walking along with us every step of the way.

Our society has this idea of LDR’s as a cheater central lifestyle. For Edwin and I, going into this relationship, we knew it wasn’t going to be easy. But is there anything in life that comes easy?

Three weeks into our official LDR I went to a friend’s graduation party. I started talking with this man who about 35 years old. Earlier he had heard me mention to my friend that my boyfriend was living in Guatemala. When he brought up my boyfriend he flat out said, “He’s gotta be out with some girl named Maria tonight… why are you spending your time with a guy who dates you and then leaves you back in America?????”

All I said to him was, “We have Christ in our lives, and our relationship revolves around Him.”

Of course I wanted to start bawling my eyes out. Not because I seriously thought Edwin could be spending his night with a girl name Maria, but because I am so saddened by how corrupt people are. I am saddened by people’s stereotypes. I am saddened by the way our society thinks of relationships in general.

This comment that 35-year-old teenager said has motivated me to stay strong during these months apart from Edwin. It has encouraged me to keep smiling because I know that God is by mine and Edwin’s side through all of this.

I don’t care what people may think of us and our LDR. Because we know that our faith in God and in each other will be our backbone. That faith will keep us going throughout.

From the beginning, some may have thought I was crazy to date a study abroad student who was obviously going back to his home country in a few months. But my thoughts are this: God didn’t place me and Edwin in each other’s paths for no reason. Everything that happens in our lives has a reason. And one reason Edwin went to his second choice school was to meet me—and we couldn’t be happier.

LDR’s are not easy. I only get to see him on FaceTime about one to two hours total everyday. I can only see him through my dumb iPad screen that sometimes looses connection. I have to wear headphones sometimes just to hear him without disturbing the people around me. But as I am going over this, I am realizing I shouldn’t be complaining. The technology that we have these days is unbelievably amazing! Imagine being in an LDR in the 1920s. Did people even do LDRs back then?

On the flipside, I am so very grateful for the ability to see my boyfriend everyday because of FaceTime. Yes, it’s hard, but it’s definitely not impossible. Why? Because NOTHING is impossible with God!

For those of you who are in an LDR or who are going to be in one in the future, some piece of advice that I have for you is to keep the faith. God wouldn’t have placed you and your loved one in each other’s lives to not try and keep the relationship going. God wants the absolute best for us, and He definitely knows what’s best for us!

I just have to say that nothing in life is easy. The best things in life are something we have to fight for and struggle a little to get to the ultimate gift in the end!

To us, our relationship is unique! One of a kind. We get to watch movies together, go to Starbucks in two different countries, share with our families our lives and when the day comes for us to see each other (47 days) it will be the best day of our lives! “This is gonna be the best day of my life.” We will be singing that the entire day. Distance does make the heart grow fonder and I can’t wait to see what our future has in store for the both of us!

Right now, Edwin and I are at our halfway point. Seven weeks down, seven to go. And I must say it hasn’t gotten easier, but it has made me a stronger person. It has made Edwin a stronger person as well. And even though we are both physically alone in our hometowns, we are never alone! God is right here by our sides at all times. And He is right there by your side at all times as well. This goes for everyone—single, married, in a relationship, in an LDR, a priest, a sister, divorced, whatever! GOD is there by your side always.

We ask for your prayers as we continue our long distance relationship. And thanks to our friends and family for being there for us through this time! Thanks for your unending prayers.

“Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”

-1 Corinthians 13:7

Don’t let society define you or your relationship. You do you and just keep trusting in God to pave His perfect plan in front of your eyes. <3