In today’s episode, we are going to discuss long distance relationships. Surely, we must have been in a situation where we considered having a long distance relationship but we didn’t go through because of the fear of What If’s.
Amaka and Chinedu were both born in Lagos, although they met for the first time at a wedding of a mutual friend. They really got along well, and it was not long before they became very close and started dating. But then, life had something else in stock for Chinedu when he was offered a better paying job in Abuja, a city over 700 kilometers away. The couple faced a tough decision: should they risk having a long distance relationship, or should they let go and move on?
Amaka and Chinedu wanted to make the relationship work no matter the circumstances that forced them to be apart. They realized how to sustain the relationship and even enhance it given the geographical proximity that separated them for most of the time.
Here are some key tips they learned along the way:
1. Prioritize Communication
As we all know Nigeria is a diverse nation, especially when one has to be dealing with different people from different cultures and speaking different languages, Amaka and Chinedu understood this fact and therefore valued communication. As a result, they agreed on a daily conversation regimen: whether via phone calls or video calls on WhatsApp. They also had time to share their daily expressions, Chinedu over a new job in Abuja while Amaka expressed her busy lifestyle in Lagos. This steady information exchange made great strides in enabling them to feel closer at hand and gave the assurance that they were in raport as to the same thing.
2. Set Clear Goals and Expectations
From the onset, Amaka and Chinedu were very quick to begin discussing their future goals. They decided that within the next two weeks Chinedu was to decide whether he would go back to Lagos or else Amaka had to consider relocating to Abuja. This clear past vision of their future helped them to Avoid strain, due to lack of certainty of their future lives.
3. Embrace Technology
They also engaged in similar activities even though they live in different cities. This was so despite the fact that they used Nigerian streaming services to watch Nollywood movies and ate the same traditional Nigerian foods such as jollof rice and egusi soup while on the phone. Such virtual dates helped them to extend the shared experience even if they remained physically apart.
4. Make the Most of In-Person Visits
Whenever Chinedu went to Lagos for a weekend or when Amaka went to Abuja for business, they made sure to spend quality time together. They went shopping in various stores, watched shows and concerts, and spent some time at home. Such visits were replete with jokes and serious discussions which not just reaffirmed their friendship, but also provided them with fun-filled episodes to enjoy and take with them during their ‘separations’.
5. Stay Positive and Supportive
Amaka and Chinedu encountered several issues in their relationship such as tradition and pressure from society as well as family. They encouraged each other through job transitions and hardships, constantly refocusing them on their mission. This kind of support ensured that they did not lose hope and was good for the relationship.
Conclusion
The case of Amaka and Chinedu is a typical example of couples who endure the hardship of long distance relationships despite their differences, this is because Nigeria is a culturally diverse country.
Specifically, they focused on communication, goals, technology use, visits when possible, and positivity when working through the distance to develop a close, long-term relationship. Therefore it is possible to state that long distance relationships can be challenging, but they are also valuable and fulfilling when both partners are committed and find ways to make the relationship work.
