In the article “Does distance really make the heart grow fonder?” Ian
Kerner raises an argument of long-distance relationships. He lists several
surveys and studies on the couples who are in this kind of relationship and
he gives his own reflections and opinions by analyzing these studies. Through
these statistics, he thinks couples in long-distance relationships can be
more mentally closer than those who stick to each other all the time. Because
of long distance can make couple more willing to contact to each other and
share their feelings. Another reason is these couples only can contact
through the Internet, so they do not need to deal with day-to-day life
together. Ian thinks this kind of relationships can make their love grow
fonder, and the romance will remain longer than general couples.
After reading this article, I have my own reflections and I agree with
his perspectives partially. For example, I agree with his statement, ”
Long-distance couples felt more intimate with each other than did couples who
saw each other all the time, possibly because people in long-distance
relationships willingly shared their feelings without being coaxed.” Because
I am the person who in a long-distance relationship, this situation is just
fit my condition. What he says is totally the same as my experience. Before
my boyfriend went abroad to work in July, we stick to together almost every
day. Because we knew we were about to live with a long distance for several years,
we cherish every moment. Although we have already been intimate before seperating, I found that after we started
the long-distance relationship, we become more willing to share our expressions. And we chat on the Internet more often.
I think it is because chatting and sharing feelings become the only way for us to participate the lives of each other.
What I don't agree to his opinion is he only uses the the samples with similar situation.
I think this makes the article become a little bit subjective. "Distance" is not the reason why couple become more intimate.
It is because both of them are willing to share, letting his or her partner know what happen in life.
If they don't open their heart to share, and then the distance will be the most harmful weapons to destroy their love.
In conclude, I agree with the author's opinion that distance sometimes can strengthen the bond of couples.
However, this cannot apply on all of the couple.
Distance can only test those who trust their couples and are willing to share.