Reply #51: Depends - just like short distance relationships...

[haele]

I've married my long-distance relationship, but we started out as friends with mutual hobbies and similar opinions first off. I think it also helped that we were both ex-military and used to the idea of "deployment" and had seen what works and what doesn't work in relationships where there is a stretch of time where the partners are apart.

Honesty and clear communication (even if it isn't often, it's got to be clear and focused) is really the big key in long distance, long term relationships; both parties really need to understand that it's better to practice honesty to your partner and honesty to yourself. Don't allow either to use the excuse "oh, s/he's not here, so it won't hurt" to do something you wouldn't normally do in a regular relationship. When there's problems, if the other partner will be affected by them, then s/he'd best have some heads up that there's an issue that might be affecting the relationship - especially finances.
Of course, this advice works if the other partner in the relationship lives down the street, too... :)

Both partners really need to keep an eye on the long haul for a long-distance relationship to last.
Otherwise, it's nothing more a long-distance "one night stand". Which isn't bad in it's own right (hey, some people need lots of practice - or test drives - before they can settle down to one of several styles of social relationships), if one doens't really want a long-term relationship - but if you and your partner have been discussing the "m" word (or any of it's varients), it's best for both parties to be prepared to do the little extra work to keep focus on the relationship on a daily basis, whether or not there's the ability to have regular communication.

Just my two bits (a bit more than a couple cents, but hey - it's sunday and I'm fighting off the remnants of a nasty ear infection.)

Haele