Every now and then being apart in an online relationship is not a matter of inevitable circumstance, but a matter of choice. Some couples have to save up money and wait for vacation time to meet for the first time. Others, after meeting in real life, start working on their documents and wait for a fiance(e) visa (for most Russian brides/wives and their American partners the waiting period is from 6 month and up to 2 years!). The waiting becomes more difficult and tiring every day. If this happens to you, some important steps should be taken to sustain your online relationship, guard it from the adverse effect of time, help it bloom and not fade away.

Be Considerate

       In every relationship people become too casual with each other sometimes. We even acquire new (annoying) habits when we talk to our partners. For example, when you hear about another fight between his/her parents, in stead of really listening and asking for details, you may throw in something like “Oh, that's too bad” or “It happens”. A casual, almost subconscious statement like that can make your partner feel that you don't really care much, or that you're tired of listening to it. Even if you are, your reaction might help you avoid listening to the same old story again, but it will most likely also keep the two of you more apart.

Take a Break

       Taking a break is a healthy technique, which can be used not only for an online relationship. Give each other a week of complete loneliness. Don't chat, write or see each other on camera for all this time. Letting your partner miss you is as good habit that will make both of you grow hungry for greater intimacy and more communication. After all, a week apart will give you plenty of things to talk about. However, it is important that both partners understand the necessity of this break and both of them need it. Otherwise you may be planting a seed of discord with the best intentions.

Get Busy

       According to a recent research, people who read interesting material, listen to music or watch TV while standing in a line at a bank, medical office or any other public place are less upset about the time they spent waiting than those who don't have any visual or audio distraction whatsoever. So, if you know that your online relationship will last for another several months or even years before you make it to the real life, take some courses, find a hobby, master a new career, and do something else in addition to staring at his/her picture on your screen all the time. It is obvious that if you just wait for the changes to come, it will seem like forever before something happens. So it is better for both partners to estimate their time right, figure out the waiting period and get busy.