Long distance relationships/ New hire training

[Angelo_di_amore]

This is my first post, however, I'm sure you all know my boyfriend FlyChicaga. He's thinking about taking a different job which would leave us apart for around two months. Since you have all went through training where you had to be away from ones you loved for a while ... I was wondering if you had any advice. Particularly how I can be supportive and ideas for romantic "gestures" from long distance (Wisconsin to Texas). Even if you didn't have someone while you were in training if you have any ideas of what you would have liked ... if you were with someone, I'd still like the ideas. Thanks much for all your help. And fly safe!

Oh yeah ... I asked FlyChicaga not to read this so be sure not to tell him what this post is about. Because after all ... what's the point of doing a surprise romantic gesture if you already know what it is ... it's not a surprise. Thanks!

[fly-girl]

My fiance and I did the long distance thing (Kentucky to Texas) for about a year and a half and while it was very difficult, it did make us appreciate each other and not take each other for granted. Now he commutes to work so sometimes it still seems like a long distance thing but anyways...

When my fiance was in training cell phones were just starting to catch on. I can't believe that was only four years ago but anyways, he was staying at a hotel for weeks at a time so I would send love letters to him to his hotel. His roomate's girlfriend would bake cookies and send down a whole basket of them to his hotel which i thought was a pretty cute idea too. While long distance can be tough, surprises make it all worth it. Luckily I had flight benefits while we lived so far away from each other so if we missed each other too bad, I could hop on the next flight down to see him even if it was just for one day.

[ATP]

Talking to my boyfriend (who lives a two hour drive away) before going to sleep and saying good morning shortly after waking up helps me feel more connected to him. I'm also definitely a fan of voicing my appreciation of him at somewhat random times, whether through an email, a quick phone call, or some other way.

As for being supportive, keeping in mind that he might be stressed out and so might want to vent or alternately might not be very chatty is key, in my opinion.

[skibum515]

i've heard guys like to get flowers too, so maybe try sending those to him once in a while...


I LIKE GETTING FLOWERS (HINT JOHN HINT)


(just incase he reads this) he's not so good at the whole flower thing... :roll:

[Kristie]

guys are just like that.... they start off getting flowers at random times, when your dating... and then it ends up just being your birthday or some special occasion... or when they're in the doghouse! hahaa

nowadays, I just go for the dinner & a movie thing! [img]/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

but I do have to admit that I did get some flowers for my bday this year, but i was also having a really hard week cuz my girlfriends here in town stood me up for my birthday (long story)...but that's ok, I got over it pretty quick! haha

maybe try to get him to just bring some flowers home from the grocery store every week or couple of weeks.. after a while, it'll get to be habit! [img]/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

I like the care package idea that someone mentioned over in JC.. you can do all sorts of thing with that!!

[skibum515]

he never got me flowers 'just becaues' I got flowers on our 1 year anniversery, and 18mos (becuase that was right after Vday) AND THAT"S IT!!! *sigh* Dinner and a movie is all well and good, I just like flowers a lot. They make things look pretty and as a guys he could care less, but i like them!! ack!

[Kristie]

Then just buy them yourself so they're always around...maybe he'll get used to them being around all the time and the day you don't have them there is the day he says "where are the flowers?"...KWIM?!

If you know he's not going to buy them, might as well provide them yourself right?!

[roz]

I always have flowers in the house. But I buy them at Whole Foods for $4 and they last two weeks!

I have lots of ideas for you regarding your request for things to send while he is in training.

[Kristie]

well, go for it Roz.. what are your ideas? [img]/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[Angelo_di_amore]

Two things ... one FlyChicaga has never gotten me flower. The funny thing is that some girl at his work the other day was complaining (and hitting on him) that she never got flowers so he pulled some flowers out of a pot along the street and gave them to her. She fell for it too ... she was all mushy and then he told her he had a girlfriend. Apparently co-workers (guys) were pretty mad at him cause she was "hot" and totally "digging him". Oh well. I trust him enough to know he was just foolin around with her and trying to make her feel better cause she was new at work.

Secondly, Roz ... if you have ideas. I'd LOVE to hear them. Either by posting or sending me an e-mail. I already have some cute ideas to send him. I have to get going right now but I'll post them later for if anyone wants the ideas for themselves. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]