Relationship RRSP

Just as regular contributions to your RRSP portfolio will yield growth over time (albeit with forecasted gains and losses), so will investing in your long distance relationship.  If the two of you love each other enough to want to be together despite the distance, you need to take it that extra kilometre and make the effort to see each other on a reasonably regular basis.  Depending on where your sweetie lives, this may translate to expensive domestic or even international flights, which may mean your vacation time at work may be entirely devoted to the relationship.  Consequently, you may have to sacrifice time allocated for other holidays.  

A boyfriend and I once lived 3.5 hours apart by train.  Every other weekend, we would take turns going to each other’s cities.  If one person couldn’t make it to see the other because he or I needed to stay in town, the other person would visit, but would have their train trip paid for by the other person.  Having a fixed schedule may sound like a drag and ridiculously unromantic, but adhering to a structure did ensure that neither of us became lazy or lost interest in the relationship.  

Back to the Future

Unlike a local relationship, which can be for fun and games, I strongly believe that a long distance relationship should only be entered into by parties who are mutually serious about each other.  A contractual obligation, if you may.  Examining the situation rationally, eventually the two of you will be together geographically in the long-term.   And you need to be honest about this.  

If he lives in a different country, will he move to be with you or vice versa?  If she’s in a different province, will the two of you marry?  You also need to consider such extenuating factors such as nationality/citizenship, employment opportunities and access to family and friends.  If your sweetheart is moving to be with you, you need to have a heightened sensitivity to what that person is leaving behind.  As a result, you may need to assist him or her in finding a job, introduce him or her to your circle of family and friends and thoroughly reinforce that your partner is a complete part of your life.    

____________________
close to you

Not everyone is fortunate enough to find the love of their life across the street from them.  Otherwise, we’d all be dating our neighbours.  But despite the difficulties and the occasional loneliness, long distance love can be refreshingly rewarding and fulfilling.  The key point to remember is to keep it real; as you don’t see the person 'live' every day, you may not get to see all of their nuances.  But with time and some elbow grease, you may discover that the person is the best in the world.  Wherever they are.