depth over distance // introduction

“Long distance relationships are hard, but they’re also incredible. If you can love, trust, respect, and support each other from a distance then you’ll be unstoppable once you’re physically together.” -Unknown

I have only posted part one of my own love story here. A story that is still at work. Growing and changing and struggling and overcoming through a season many other couples are also experiencing, a season of distance. Enough about my love story though. Today I want to share my heart on a little project I’ve been working on, that will allow all of you a glimpse into the hearts of other long distance couples, and the various ways God has worked through their relationships…

This may come as a shock to you (as it did me), but many people in today’s society are long-distance naysayers. It’s true. The very idea that individuals could have the ability to make a commitment to love, cherish, and encourage each other, without the daily “in your face” reminder that comes from living in close proximity, is considered impossible by many people in our culture. In today’s world the new norm seems to be serial relationships, open relationships, and “sleeping around.” In light of this, there seems to be an aversion to the word “commitment,” and this is being perpetrated even by those in Christian communities who put God in a box and spread the lie that “long distance never works.”

In light of this, the idea for a project has been forming in my mind for some months now. The details are still coming together, but the time has finally arrived to introduce my little idea here on the blog. Over the next few months I am going to be sharing various stories from those who have experienced long distance relationships. I am calling the project “depth over distance.”

My heart behind this stems from my own love story, which began almost one year ago. When Jacob and I first considered dating we were living in the midst of a godly, mission-minded community of men and women on fire for Christ in New York City. Despite this (although there were many notable exceptions – all of whom I am immensely grateful for) when we started seeking advice on our relationship from those around us who we trusted to speak truth into our lives, the overwhelming response we received was “oh that won’t work. nope. not with you guys living so far apart. long distance never works.” It was really discouraging to us. We kept praying and seeking other advice, and clearly did not heed that negative advice (there is a long story here – full of many mistakes, and redemption, but ultimately tinged with the hand of God working in us and through our relationship with each other – all of that is for another post though). Ultimately, we chose to believe that God is greater than a little distance. We could see His hand working through our meeting, and our relationship, from the first and He has continued to ever since. To this day, however, the first thing a lot of people say to me when they ask about my boyfriend and I tell them he lives in Texas is “wow long distance. that never works.”

So there’s the back story, and now for the purpose in all of this. My heart for this project is that through hearing unique stories of others who have experienced “depth over distance” that those of you who are struggling through a season of distance will be inspired and encouraged to continue to trust in the hand of God working in your lives and in your relationships. And who knows, maybe a little bit of truth will put a stop to those naysayers too!

Keep an eye out – the first “depth over distance” couple and their story is coming soon!