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It's hard enough to keep a relationship intact when you see each other every day. Imagine the couples that have to make it three months without seeing each other at all or infrequently.
Chico State students who are going to be apart from their significant others for the summer defined rules and regulations for keeping the flames stoked over the three-month period.
Junior Ryan Brilliant has had a long distance relationship with a woman he met at the Palace of Versailles in France two years ago. He said that maintaining a relationship over a long period of time requires truthfulness and sincerity from both parties.
"Keep it real," Brilliant said. "Be honest with each other. That's the most important rule. Be classy."
Besides being honest, it's imperative that you and your partner say "I love you" to let the other know you care, Brilliant said. He hasn't seen her for two years, since the day they met, but he can't wait to get back to see her over next winter break.
To keep the love alive, he and his girlfriend practice calligraphy, sending love letters back and forth between the U.S. and Marseilles, France, where she lives now.
"It's just a matter of commitment," Brilliant said.
Expression comes in different forms for different students, however. Freshman Chelsea Sheppard said that burning love CDs and sending them to each other is a good way to keep the spark alive.
"I listen to the CD before I go to bed, so I think of my boyfriend before I go to sleep," Sheppard said.
Junior Joey Monjure has been away from his girlfriend, who has been attending Modesto Junior College, every semester since they've been together. Another three months apart is no problem, he said.
Monjure is taking classes this summer and will be away from his girlfriend yet again, but they have a plan to stay in contact. They've been together for a year-and-a-half, and he said it's largely due to the communication from both parties.
"Lots of phone calls," Monjure said. "Just make sure to include them in things over the summer. Be honest."
Other couples meet up a couple times during the summer, planning fun events with each other.
Freshman Mark Hamer enjoys taking his girlfriend, freshman Erika Crane, kayaking when they get a chance to see each other. They live close to each other in Chico, but when they return home for summer, they live 2 hours apart.
Crane said that frequent phone calls let the other person know how much you care.
"Call every day - like five times," Crane said.
Other students said that scheduled phone calls are the best way to communicate.
Being aware of your boyfriend's or girlfriend's schedule is vital to keep the relationship from crumbling over any long period of time, sophomore Loida Ortiz said.
"I'm obviously not going to call him at work, and he shouldn't call me at work," Ortiz said. "You need to plan these things. Schedule a time to talk."
Ortiz sends her boyfriend little cards to let him know that she cares, she said. They also plan to meet up every other weekend over the summer.
Alternative forms of communication are a must for other students. Sophomore Whitney Grayhorse said that e-mail is the best way to keep up on day-to-day events. She said that you should call every couple of days depending on the situation.
"Don't call too much," Grayhorse said. "If it's excessive, it could be considered clingy,"
Grayhorse believes that you have to keep your priorities straight in order to keep the relationship healthy.
"Make sure that you have a balance between your significant other and your life," she said.
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