My boy friend and I have been going out for about 2 years now... I met him online playing a game of pool. He lives in australia and I live in canada. He flew over to meet me face to face and we've been going steady since then... he just recently proposed to me. But when we spend like a week together or two weeks and then he has to leave it rips my heart to shreds. I don't know what to do, I want to be with him, but I'm afraid, afraid of that pain. Like when he leaves I wake up in the middle of the night and I reach out to touch his face but then I realize that its just my pillow and I break down. We talk every night and it gets easier... but I was just wondering if any one had any tips about how to handle the distance better when he leaves..

Oh I know how you feel. Your heart will always pine for him when he is away and it is OK if you cry. But, try to think of the next time you will see him and the good times you had with him. I used to keep a t-shirt he wore next to me when I slept so I can smell him. The first few days, after he leaves, is the hardest and if you feel like crying, just cry. It will make you feel better. And call him whenever you miss him. I'm sure he misses you as well.

Thank you... I'm just afraid if I sleep with his shirt the scent will disappear hah

I'm going through the same thing sort of, although I broke it off. I don't really know what to do either. I met a man on vacation last Spring and he lives in Morocco, and I live in Canada. I visited him for a month last January. I'm not sure if I can handle waiting for immigration and can't afford to visit much, so I guess I just don't think I can handle it.

I hear writing letters is a really good way to stay in touch because you get to have something in your hand that they have touched (unlike e-mail).

Do you two have plans to move to the same country soon? I guess it would help if you have a firm plan.

I'm planning to move in 2 years and yes what I do is write a letter every day and then send them in bulk. So I might send 10-15 letters to him at a time. Its like a present for him every month, he sends me flowers every month. We both work extremely hard because its very expensive, but we find ways around the prices. It all usually sums up what we're willing to do.

Well you sound like you are handling it pretty well! Sending the letters like that is a really good idea. If you guys have a web cam, maybe you could make a web cam 'date' once a week. Another suggestion someone gave me is to make a recording of something you do one day so he can hear your voice and see you.

That's an awesome idea : ] I just recently bought a web cam and he bought one for valentines so we could see each other