There comes a time in most people’s lives where they commit to a long-distance relationship. Whether it lasts for weeks, months, or years, the long-distance obstacle is a tough test for couples. Many might say that such commitment is destined for failure, but this should only be determined by the strength of the relationship and if it is worth holding on to. With seniors quickly approaching graduation, there is destined to be couples that split up, but some are choosing to stay together. We have interviewed some pairs who have made the decision to stay together, despite the distance that will separate them.
Jillian Falcon and Kristopher Mendez have been dating for a year, where the only obstacle they face is the different high schools that they currently attend. They consider their current situation as a “practice run” to what their college years will be like. They will be staying together because Jillian says that she “can see a future with Kristopher” and “cares about him a lot.” He feels the same and is “willing to wait the four years for her because he wants to live the rest of his life with her.” With Jillian studying at Lycoming College in Pennsylvania and Kristopher staying in his hometown to attend Miami Dade College, they will be separated by 2,000 miles. They plan to communicate regularly through facetime calls and see each other on visits during breaks from school. Despite the new and unfamiliar territory that comes with attending college, neither are worried about cheating because Kristopher would “send them off to the next person” while Jillian would “ignore them and tell them off if they kept trying.” After college, they have a very precise plan of moving to Fresno, California where they home to get an apartment and even a few dogs. This is ideal for them because Kristopher can work there as a firefighter/paramedic and Jillian can pursue her dream career in the central office for the FBI. They are excited about the new upcoming changes and are prepared to dive into the college adventure together, regardless of the miles between them.
Gabriela Hernandez and Alejandro Menendez have been together for almost 1 year and will both be attending the Miami Dade College Honors program. Although they will not be in a long-distance relationship, it was definitely a consideration when Gabriela was accepted to Florida State University. Alejandro was also accepted but it was never his intent to move. Gabriela says they “would’ve tried to stay together because it wasn’t an option to just, in a couple of months, to say ‘goodbye’ to the person [they] loved and trying it first rather than just giving up is a lot different.” They would’ve been 10 hours apart, although Alejandro’s family already drives upstate frequently to visit his brother in Gainesville. There is also a bus they would have taken to see each other. If anyone was to flirt with Gabriela she said, she would “deny them completely and make very clear that I have a boyfriend.” Alejandro on the other hand would not get hit on at all because he claims that he “looks like a bum.” Despite both having been accepted into FSU, they will attend Miami Dade Honors College. They plan on transferring to a university for grad school to pursue independent studies such as law and medicine. Alejandro brings up moving to Texas, but Gabriela makes it very clear that there is no chance of that happening. Wherever they end up, they are sure they will be together.
Junior Grether Suarez and Senior Joel Gonzalez have been together for 3 years. Joel will be attending the University of Florida this fall which will put them 6 hours apart. Joel says they are going to stay together because of “the love [they] have for each other” and “they’ve been together for so long, it’s like throwing everything away.” To keep in touch, they will utilize things like phone calls, facetime, texting, and visits from Joel back to Miami. With any advances from others, they both said they “would curve them because they respect their relationship.” Grether says she “doesn’t find it weird to be dating someone in college, but it will be hard not seeing him every day.” When she graduates she will probably not go to the same college as Joel because she has high hopes to attend Hamilton University. They both plan on attending grad school but have not decided if it will be at the same school.
A long-distance relationship can be scary but as long as you love and care for each other anything is possible. The most important thing for these education driven couples, is to make sure they are both happy and committed to whatever decision they feel is best.
The Watchdog 