Video Chatting in Long Distance Relationships

We all know the strains that being in a long distance relationship can have.  You don’t get to see each other, hold each other or spend a whole lot of time together.  Many times all you have is phone calls, emails, instant messaging and if you have it myspace messages and comments.  But video chatting can make a world of a difference in a relationship.  There are many different programs that couples can use for their video chatting such as skype and oovoo, my boyfriend and I prefer to use skype.

Video chatting allows you to see each other via webcam and talk via mics.  Having a laptop with built in webcam and mics make it easier because you don’t have top pay extra for those or installing them.  With the webcams you can see each others reactions and actions to what you are saying and if you have a laptop you can take them when you cook dinner, sit in the living room, or laying in bed.  So instead of just talking over the phone and not getting to see them video chats allow you to see each other.  It helps you grow closer together as you talk because you see their emotions in their faces. 

When you are talking on the phone you cannot be sure how their facial reactions are, so if they say everything is fine, you cannot see if their eyes are saying something else, whereas video chatting you can read their expressions and how it coincides with what they are saying.  With skype you are even able to take pictures of them.  I will admit I have taken pictures of my boyfriend and I print certain ones out and keep them with the other pictures of him.  I have missed his smile and getting to have a video chat with him, I can see that smile again and it helps me be able to deal with the loneliness and depression that can come with being away from him for so long.

Video chatting bends the gap of distance and brings you closer together.  It helps you “see” each other without actually being together physically.  I have found that it has actually enhanced our relationship because we are forced to talk about different things and we learn more about each other because all we have is video chatting at the moment.  We talk about what we want from life and show each other a side we normally wouldn’t see, and the video helps us see the passion and compassion we have for each other.  He can see when something really upsets me and I can see when he is generally concerned.  Having that ability in a long distance relationship helps make it work.  Video chatting is possibly the best thing for a long distance relationship.