Insightful Needed, Long Time Coming
First of all, I just want to say, Lauren Barth & Ryan Doughton, wonderful Lauren and Ryan, have endured 8 months of long-distance relationship *someone needs to give them a trophy or medal right now*. I didn't even know till I saw her recent post on Facebook. I can't imagine going through that myself. But I can definitely see a few success factors there. Lauren was willing to be honest with her community the struggles she's going through. People knew, be it via FB or other forms of communication methods. People encouraged her, she took the encouragement and remained strong. And she also took time to visit Ryan at where he was (as seen via FB photos) -- which seems to be all around the country/world really -- and spent time doing something meaningful together. And now, he's finally coming back to Cincinnati after the long months of co-op. Yet with these said, I still wonder, how did they do it? They're amazing!
And I think that's the point: THEY'RE amazing. Not it's (referring to relationship) amazing, and definitely not, they're lucky. It's the 2 people who has made it work, and in their case, with God's help. Lauren used to tell me sometimes they would be on the phone discussing some verse in the bible, or when they went to take a walk, Ryan would ask her questions about God. And though I haven't been around him much, I have an inkling he has grown much in Christ after he took an interest and decided to explore who God is and what He does. That's pretty cool.
But I think more accurately, I should have said THEY in reference to 3 people instead of 2. Because God was someone Lauren and Ryan had in their relationship that many couples don't. Yes, God blesses both the believers and non-believers alike, but knowing God is involved in the making of both you and your partner is a pretty cool deal to me. And I'm ever so glad that they're growing stronger in each other and in Christ.
What a fool. What a huge fool I've been. I knew Catherine was right when she said it depends on how the 2 people involved decides to manage their relationship but it took Lauren & Ryan's example to enlighten me on the likelihood of success -- especially in a LDR -- and the joy that emerges from it. The times I've been basking in my own thoughts, throwing tantrums in my mind, all of which resulted only from a short month spent away from wkw. It almost seems ridiculous and kind of laughable now. But my fears are real. And I think, the only way to handle them is to actually handle them. With God's help. With friends' help.
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The toll fine from Colorado State came! Hahaha. $12.70, pheww. I really thought I was going to get a penalty of hundreds of dollars! Thank you kind state for not charging me administrative fee. Waiting for the fine from other states with toll roads to come. Fingers crossed, hope it wont exceed $40-$50. Pay the money, learn a lesson. Note to self, whenever in doubt, drive to the lane with a human being then clarify my queries. Simple enough ehh? :)