How do longdistance relationships thrive?

Long enough if that is a good one. I have mine since 3 years and the love between us grows each day. :)

I would say if you are in an LDR for a long time....like may be a few years and still very much in love with the person, then u have most probably found the right partner!!! OF COURSE IT IS POSSIBLE. I am in an LDR myself and its been two years since we got to know each other thru' ORKUT. Ok, so what if we live in the same state, distance is still DISTANCE. However my love also happens to be my best friend and we are still crazy about each other as we used to be initially...probably even more than then.....TOUCH WOOD!!!!!! Yes, there are a lot of distractions and there are times when I have begged him to visit me (when I am in trouble or upset about smthing) but he could not due to work. However with all these failings I would say LDR gives a lot of time and space for you to mature as an induvidual in a relationship. It also gives you time for yourself. We used to chat on webcams before but now thats only once in a while. Phone is our life line. Long Distance relationships thrives on...........LOVE!!!! ;-)

Ask the important questions at the onset, to make sure you are both clear on the parameters of the relationship. These can be difficult and awkward questions to ask, but will save you great heartache and misunderstanding down the line. Ex.:Are you open to the possibility of relocating if the relationship should become more serious? Communicate in some way every day - more than once if possible. Since you won't be seeing each other, it's important to establish and maintain an emotional connection. These don't have to be long, in-depth conversations (though those should occur sometimes). Tell each other about your little triumphs and tragedies. Ask for advice. Use an instant messenger program or VoIP for real-time chat, or webcams for that visual connection, but while instant messaging and e-mails play a large role in long distance relationships, remember that they can in no way replace verbal communication. E-mail is great so make sure you use it, especially if long-distance phone calls put a strain on your budget. Write love letters. Send small gifts or flowers for no reason. In this case, quantity is as important as quality. You may discover an advantage over others whose partner is close at hand - you don't take communication for granted! Take advantage of the benefits a long distance relationship offers: more time with friends and/or family, no arguments over toothpaste caps, the pleasure of seeing your sweetheart again after a long absence, time to mull your options (rather than snapping at your partner impulsively) before you respond to that email s/he wrote that seemed so rude the first time you read it, etc. Most important, being far apart gives you a chance to maintain your individuality - something that can get lost in the shuffle when couples spend all their free time together. Pursue common interests, even if it means pursuing them apart. If there's a movie you're both interested in seeing, watch it individually and then call each other afterward and talk about it. Read a certain book at the same time. Stargaze while on you're on the phone. Set your watches to go off at the same time every day, and synchronize your alarm with that of your partner. Make it a point to think of each other when your watch goes off, and revel in the fact that he or she is thinking about you, too. Find creative ways to bond. Avoid the temptation to be controlling. People have free will and no one can or should control another person. As long as you are both interested in being in the relationship, you will stick with it and distance will not make a difference. As soon as one of you decides the other is not a good match - or someone else is a better match - your relationship ends, whether you live 3000 miles apart, two streets over, or share the same bed with your wedding picture on the wall. You are going to have to trust each other completely if this relationship is going to work. Talk about your future together. Assuming that ultimately you'd want to live together, discussing how you're going to get to that point will help you prove to each other that the relationship is going somewhere and that your efforts and frustrations are not in vain. Know when to say good-bye. While this is tough in any relationship, this can be especially hard over long distances. When communication becomes one-sided or sparse for too long and for no apparent reason, when arguments (yes, you'll have them) become too frequent, when the whole thing just seems like more trouble than it's worth, it's time to re-evaluate the relationship. Either you'll decide to go your separate ways, or you'll get closer for having overcome another obstacle to your happiness together.

Yes, LDRs are possible! They take a lot of time, effort, communication, love, faith, trust, optimism.... They're alot of work, but you can get alot of satisfaction from them. I was in a long distance relationship for almost 3 years. Just this summer we ended the distance and he moved here (US) from England to be with me and we got married. My story is one of many success stories. I don't think they would thrive without the internet. Skype was a life saver. We talked on headset and webcam constantly which kept the flame burning. Our relationship is soo strong! and can withstand anything because of the distance. I learned who I was in the time I was away from him and learned to appreciate him and noticed how much I really loved and needed him. Webcams are a must in LDRs.