“But you won’t get to see him often” is a thought that plagues my mind. And it’s true, I don’t get to see him as often as I’d like. 

Long-distance relationships are difficult, but they don’t suck. I’d know, since I’m in one. 

Millions of Americans are in long-distance relationships, and 75% of college students will have been in a long-distance relationship by the time they graduate.

Long-distance isn’t always a choice. Couples end up at different colleges, are forced to move for work after graduation or they don’t want to leave family behind in another state.

But whether it’s a choice or not doesn’t mean the relationship won’t work. 

In a survey conducted by KIIROO, a company dedicated to sexual health and pleasure, long-distance relationships have a 58% success rate. Those are pretty good odds; that’s just under two-thirds of all long-distance relationships. 

Long-distance relationships are not destined to fail, like so many think. In fact, many people thrive in long-distance relationships.

In a study published in the Journal of Communication, couples engaging in long-distance feel that their level of trust, satisfaction and overall relationship stability is at least on par with that of couples who spend more time face-to-face.

Long-distance couples are still able to form strong, healthy bonds— just not in the way traditional couples can. 

Instead, social media plays an integral role in long-distance relationships. 

According to a study done by social worker Lexie Gutzmann, couples often use social media networks and phone calls to stay in touch. While it’s not quite the same as face-to-face communication, it still breeds intimacy and support. 

While social media can also sow the seeds of jealousy and distrust, that isn’t exclusive to being long-distance and can happen in any relationship. 

Not all relationships will work. But this isn’t especially true for long-distance relationships. 

All relationships require sacrifices. Long-distance relationships might require more— or at least different— sacrifices, but that says nothing about the quality of the relationship itself. 

Long-distance relationships are hard, and they probably always will be. But if it’s with the right person, it definitely won’t suck.