Closing the distance was a conversation that my Snowman and I had during our second meet-up.
Of course, we had talked about it before but during our second meet up we took the conversation more seriously.
When we had our second meet-up my Snowman was visiting me in the US and he stayed for a month.
I had just started a new job and was moving into a new apartment, that he had to help me move into.
Well, he did all the moving with my friends because I got sick that weekend.
Literally dying 😖
Needless to say, it was miserable and he had to do everything.
It was then I realized how dependable he was and how I am ready to start a life with him.
During our second meet-up, we were more than ready to close the distance.
Even though we were very eager at the time I am happy we waited a bit longer. There were still some things we needed to learn as a couple.
You’ve Had at Least One Meet-Up
If you haven’t already met, then save this article for the future.
I really highly strongly encourage for you to have had at least one Meet-Up before moving in with your partner.
I really should say two Meet-Ups but I am very understanding 💁♀️
The reason why I emphasize at least having one Meet-Up is that when you are visiting your partner in person; you are able to learn and develop so much more trust with them than from just online alone.
You are able to see their living space, and they are able to see yours. Meet-Ups is how you learn each other’s routines and preferences.
If you don’t spend time with your partner in person you are missing out on a part of their lives.
Y’all Have Talked About the Future. Together.
Closing the distance is going to be an always ongoing discussion in long distance relationships. You and your partner need to be able to talk about it together and have a plan in place.
Closing the distance for some people could mean moving into the same city or getting married.
The point is that you and your partner have discussed the future together.
When Tuomas and I first starting talking about closing the distance, we discussed how we planned on doing it.
For us that meant, getting married.
It also meant that I would move to Finland 🥰
We chose Finland because we both love the country more than the United States, and the immigration process was a lot simpler compared to the US.
Financially, it made more sense for me to move to Finland than for Tuomas to move to the US.
Which brings us to my next point.
It’s Easy to Talk About Finances
While discussing who was going to live where it made us reflect on finances.
We talked about the cost of living, the cost of immigration, and how we were going to make money living in Finland.
There comes a point where you and your partner have to be completely comfortable with each other when it comes to finances.
No matter how uncomfortable it may be at first 🥺
You need to be 100% transparent with each other.
Tuomas and I discussed how we would split the rent, bills, and groceries. We also talked about the things we like to do for self-care and other hobbies + interests we have.
Once we figured out that number we multiplied by six, to estimate for six months of living.
That way we have enough time to get settled in and figure out our next step.
You Have an Understanding of Household Dynamics
During Meet-Ups in a great time to figure out how you and your partner’s day to day life will look like.
You are able to see how your partner is early in the morning and able to see how their routine and your mesh together.
One of our favorite Meet-Ups was when Tuomas stayed in the US for two months. During that time we were able to establish a routine together.
We also established how we took care of things around my apartment.
I can’t even being to tell you how wonderful those two months were 🥰
During the visit, I was working full time during his stay but it was our first step of living together with each other.
It really made my day when I would come home from work and he had cleaned the dishes and took out the trash for me.
We took turns cooking dinner for each other and I would do the laundry and swiffering.
We had to establish our teamwork and communication during the two months of living together.
But once we were able to establish it, we knew that closing the distance and starting a life together would be no problem.
Within that same Meet-Up, we learned how to better strengthen our communication with each other.
Communication is Solid
Before you and your partner start planning on how to close the distance, you need to make sure your communication is solid.
If you and your partner haven’t had an almost deal-breaking argument then it might be too soon for you to close the distance.
You need to be able to have an understanding of what causes each other stress as well as how you both cope with that stress together.
Once you are able to have that argument and come to an agreement after the argument then, that’s how you know you and your partner are truly compatible with each other.
You Know How to Practice Self-Care
Part of moving in with your partner is finding time so that you are able to maintain your sense of self and all the things that make you, you.
When you are in a long distance relationship and close the distance with your partner, you are going to be in a situation where you will have to take time for yourself, outside of the relationship.
If you have already been able to practice self-care, making time for friends and family while dating then you should have confidence that you’ll be able to do it once you close the distance.
By knowing the space that you need and setting up boundaries for self-care early on in the relationship.
It will make it easier during the transition from a long distance couple to a close proximity couple.
Self-care is going to be vital once you and your partner close the distance.
It’s how you are able to give each other some space so you don’t feel like you’re on top of each other.
Finding independence during self-care is also how you are going to meet new people after you’ve closed the distance.
Having this independence will help you to create new friendships in the area that have the same interest as you.
It Feels Like the Right Decision
The most important sign that you and your partner are ready to close the distance is this one.
The fact that you both feel like it is the right decision.
The only caveat is if you are wanting to close the distance in order to feel closer intimately with your partner.
If you feel like you could trust them I would suggest taking a step back and reassess closing the distance.
Closing the distance is not a band-aid that is going to magically fix whatever relationship problems you may be having.
Instead closing the distance is putting all those problems under a magnifying glass, exposing the problems by setting them on fire.
You know, like what kids do to ants 🐜
All relationships, especially long distance relationships, require teamwork.
If you and your partner feel like you are ready to start that next chapter of your lives together then do it, close the distance.
Since both are y’all are ready, there is nothing that is going to hold you back.
Are You And Your Partner Thinking About Closing the Distance?
Closing the distance is the ultimate goal of any long distance relationship.
If you and your partner are starting to talk about it and making plans for that special day then let me be the first to say congratulations!!!!
Y’all are about to start a wonderful journey together and finally live such a beautiful life with each other.
I can’t wait to see the future y’all create together.
Check Out These Other Posts About Closing the Distance
7 Ways to Get Rid of Nerves Before Closing the Distance
9 Tips For Preparing Your Partner’s Arrival When Closing the Distance
7 Ways to Practice Self Care When Closing the Distance
5 Conversations You Have to Have Before Closing the Distance LDR
7 Lessons We Learned After Closing the Distance
How I Saved $16,000 to Close the Distance LDR
8 Hard Realities About Closing the Distance That No One Tells You
