Shannon Stepp has practical experience maintaining a long-term, long distance relationship.

Stepp, 23, has been in a long distance relationship for more than two years. She explains that it has not been easy but it definitely has been worth it. Long distance relationships are difficult because you really have to commit to putting more work into it, if you want it to last.

“My boyfriend and I have been successful with our relationship because we both work hard with the concepts of trust and managing our communication, two key factors in any relationship. We are always looking for ways to improve as individuals and as a couple. However, if you really love the person you are with, no distance can come between you, and you appreciate the time you get to see each other so much,” Stepp said.

Despite always being holding the status of a fairly long distance relationship, the distance has never seriously made Stepp question the validity of her relationship.

“I can say that from the very start, I could tell that [my partner] was a very genuine and loyal person. Then the more I found out about him through conversations and experiences, my trust in him grew. He has never broken my trust after 2 years; so I have all the trust I need to move away and make the distance between us even further and still know in my heart that our relationship will make it,” said Stepp about her relationship.

Taylor Romito, a Butler County resident and student at Butler County Community College, said much of her current relationship has been long distance.

Romito, 20, is approaching the three and a half year anniversary of her relationship. After four months of dating, her boyfriend departed his and her hometown for active duty in the United States Marine Corps.

Because Romito does not get to see her partner as frequently as Stepp does, she spoke from a slightly different perspective.

“Relearning how to live life and do things without them is only minor and temporary,” Romito said. “The distance takes a toll on a person after so many years.”

Romito does not get to see her boyfriend every week. In fact, while Stepp believes that two people can grow as a couple, Romito believes that relationships can only be more so maintained rather than deeply developed.

“You have to get used to the fact that you can’t grow together,” said Romito of her situation.

On a lighter note, she has found technology to be helpful with her relationship.

“There are so many ways to keep in touch, whereas at an older time, people wouldn’t have that. Regardless, they could write letters back and forth, but that’s nothing compared to seeing each other face to face on the computer [such as] via Skype or FaceTime,” said Romito about technology and relationship quality.

Romito said she makes an effort to see her boyfriend face-to-face approximately one time per month. That does not always work out, but they make a strong effort to do so, according to Romito.

With traffic, it takes approximately nine hours of driving to get to his current city, according to Romito.

Zack Weaver, Romito’s boyfriend, also agrees the nine hour drive between them is difficult, especially when dealing with his responsibilities in the military.

“We live completely different lifestyles,” Weaver said. He explained that understanding the other partner’s lifestyle with a large amount of distance can be very difficult for a relationship, as well.

“At the end of the day, we genuinely just want the other to be happy, and we want each other to be the most successful that they can be. We are together every step of the way, mentally and emotionally rather than physically. You have to ask yourself if it is worth all of the mixed emotions,” Romito said. “And for me, it certainly is worth it.”

Romito, however, is optimistic.

“I think that if you make it and end up being together as a couple, you come out of it a stronger couple,” Romito said.