Relationships

Had breakfast with a stranger this morning. I sat at a table for no more than a minute, and he approaches. Mind if I sit with you? Nah, go ahead. Minute-long pause. I asked for his name, which was Nate, and by the end of the discussion, I finished my smoothie.

One of the things I talked about was my girlfriend Jessica, and how she doesn't live too far away from me. He told me how he had to leave his girlfriend when they had gone to different colleges. It all reminded me of the case of my kindly dorm neighbor Stephanie, who had formerly resided in Chicago. To my amazement, she continues her relationship with her boyfriend by means of video chat and phone, even though they live halfway across the country.

Suddenly the 20 minute drive to Jessica's doesn't seem so much a challenge.

What drives someone to keep their love strong for another person when such a long distance divides them?