The Importance of a support group

  Although I've learned quite a few lessons about myself and my life in general from being in a long distance relationship, I think one of the most important ones I've come across is that of having a good group of friends who support you. At first, it was pretty difficult for me to find people who were in them, or even were willing to take them seriously. Unfortunately, I'm sure you won't have to imagine how frustrating that was.

  One thing I have noticed, however, is how much my relationship has significantly improved after simply surrounding myself with people who are supportive. Always be open about your relationship, talk about it just as much as you would if your other half was with you. Julia, Mary Beth and Holly have met my boyfriend, Tyler, only a handful of times and yet they're so supportive of us. I talk/brag about Tyler all the time, what he's doing, when we're planning to visit, what we'll do, what he wrote about in a letter, and so on so forth. The more you make your relationship known to others the more they will begin to understand and respect it.
  It can hurt a lot when your friends and family are skeptical or do not validate your relationship simply due to distance. The more you are honest and the more you integrate them into conversation truly does make a difference. I encourage all of you to be a little bit more open, talk more about your significant other and I guarantee you that supportive people will turn up. This is how I met Mary Beth and Julia and I couldn't ask for more supportive and amazing friends who are going through the same things I am.

-Cait