leaving for 3 months

[smartypants]

I am 17 years old, and have been dating my boyfriend for 7 months. Next friday i leave for 3 months on an exchange program. He is incredibly worried about us breaking up, or not being as close as we are now when i get back. I'm not so worried.. but i feel bad because he is so afraid... what can i do?
:confused:

[Gandalf]

Long distance relationships can work. It is one of the age-old questions. They are, undoubtedly, a challenge, but challenges can be a good thing.

You and your boyfriend are in a unique kind of situation. Your exchange program is likely to differ in many ways from life back home, where he'll still be.

At your exchange program, you will be learning all kinds of new things. You will meet interesting people, study subjects you may not have even known about, and also have a chance to explore yourself.

Since your boyfriend will remain back home, he is likely to continue life as he has for the last couple of years. At times it may seem as if you don't have anything in common anymore, and this can be scary. Naturally, he need reassurance from you.

But being apart can also give you an opportunity to share things in a new way. You did not mention about the distance, so I don't know if visits are possible. However, both of you can definately keep in regular contact via phone calls and low cost options like email, instant messaging and internet web cam.

Even though you will be away, both of you can still write old-fashioned snail mail love letters to each other. Writing love letters is still a great and romantic way to connect with loved ones.

You and your boyfriend are already setting yourselves up for success because both of you are communicating clearly about each feelings. This is probably the single most important thing to continue doing in order to make your time apart manageable.

You will both need to listen carefully and hear the other's hopes and needs. For example, your boyfriend is likely to be curious about the details of your classes, activities, and new friends. This may be hard for him at first; he may need reassurance that you still care for him in a special way and constantly think of him though you are seperated by distance.

Long distance relationships can be tough, but they're not impossible. Keep the open communication flowing, and you and your boyfriend will have a great chance to get to know each other, and yourselves, better. Good luck.

[Uncopyrightable]

Gandalf that was the best reply I have seen on this board.