Hello and welcome to episode 24!
It’s Summer holidays on this side of the world so we thought it was a great time to talk about long distance relationships. As expats there are many times we have to be separated from our partners. Visa restrictions, schooling, fly in fly out careers, there are plenty of reasons why at times you’ll be in a long distance relationship. How does that work for you? What are the key factors to surviving the distance?
Sarah was adamant that when she and her family moved to Abu Dhabi they would not be separated, there would be no long holidays back home without one another. That lasted for 3 years and now Sarah and her Husband spend 5 weeks apart during the Summer holidays. It’s tough but distance really does make the heart grow fonder.
Kirsty and G are in a similar situation, it was hard for Kirsty to travel with 4 young children on her own but now that they are older Kirsty and her Husband spend weeks apart during the Summer holidays.
What we’ve learned is communication is key!
We spoke to 3 women who have all had different experiences when it comes to long distance relationships.
Evelyn currently lives in Edinburgh while her husband works in London during the week. He’s known as a WILLIE (Works in London lives in Edinburgh).
Alli is in country Victoria with her two daughters and her husband works in Melbourne during the week and comes home on weekends. For Alli communication and the support of her local community is what makes it work for her.
Sarah is an American living in Sydney. Sarah’s husband spends a great deal of time back in the States studying at Harvard. Sarah shares a very heartbreaking story of illness and how her new friends in Sydney helped her through while her Husband was away.
Would you like to read more on going the distance? Check out these three articles:
The Art of Being Apart – New York Times
Temporary Separation and Partners’ Needs – Internations
What was time apart from your significant other like for you? – Ask MetaFilter
Sarah’s TV Pick: Broadchurch. One of the best whodunit series on TV. Season 1 and Season 2 are available on iTunes. If you like murdery/mystery then you will love Broadchurch. Set in a small seaside village in the UK, the acting is superb and you’ll never figure out whodunit until the very end!
Kirsty’s Podcast Pick: Dear Hank & John. Anyone familiar with Author John Green’s novels and You Tube channel will really enjoy this podcast. It’s a great one to listen to in the car with your family.
Bonus Podcast Pick: Blogging King Darren Rowse of Pro Blogger has just launched his first podcast series. This is a must listen to for any bloggers out there.
Thank you everyone for tuning in. See you next week.
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2 Comments
Amanda
Just finished listening while watering the garden (with my iPhone stuffed in my bra so it didn’t get wet!)
My man is home right now but works 5 weeks on 5 off. I just can’t get into a routine as soon as I do it gets messed up, either visitors arrive or something and we don’t even have kids… How do you do it?
Amanda
Oh and thanks for the podcast tip on problogger I need all the help I can get! Great podcast girls, I love listening to you two as its like having a couple of girlfriends round. Thanks