Long distance relationships.  We all have our own perceptions about them.  I used to think it was a crazy arrangement entered into by 2 naively twitterpated individuals.  Then I married an Airman.

Military relationships have unique challenges.  Distance is a common and often recurring fact of life.  The military relocates the enlisted member when it works for them, it is not always the easiest for your personal situation though.  That’s where my story comes in.

My husband was scheduled to permanently change station (PCS).  No problem there, leave one job, move and start another.  Easy.  Not as clean cut for the children in school, me with an ailing mother at home, etc.  So we sat down and thought of a way to make it work and transition to our new life without a huge interruption to other obligations.

The result, sadly, was to spend a few months apart.  It just made sense.  With the demands for me and the family being what they were at home I just couldn’t leave that quickly.  As if the looming hundreds of miles between us wasn’t enough anxiety already, I started worrying about everything.  What would he eat for dinner?  How would he keep the house supplied with everything?  Would he be able to keep the house clean easily?  Would he feel adrift without me?  Would he need me?

Now don’t get me wrong, my husband is not incapable by any means.  Nor am I an oppressed barefooted house wife that does everything.  I just wanted him to still feel my wonderful wifely support with the new things he’d be initially encountering alone.  Going from a common household to operating in two separate households, then back to one again was going to be strange.  Maintaining some familiarity within each was my aim.

At some point before he left I was brainstorming and came up with a plan.  The result was a fusion of Crock-Pot meal prep and military care package.  I prepared meals with easy steps and instructions and as many ingredients as possible.  Pair that with a home supply kit and…ladies and gentlemen… this wife’s mission: accomplished.

You can see the fruits of my creative labors below.  Most of the meals only needed the main protein added to it.  I even measured the spices into GladWare Mini Containers.  Of course his favorite snacks got thrown in too.  Is this love or what?

Long Distance Care Package

I packaged everything into a plastic storage bin like these.

That way everything would be safe, sealed, and easily identifiable among all the brown moving boxes.

For all the recipes featured above, see my other post coming soon: Super Simple Crockpot Recipe List.

New Home Supply Kit

Besides my carefully planned care package, I found other ways to keep us in touch with each other.  As with anything else in the world, there are apps for long distance relationships.  We chose the Couple app.  This app keeps moments and memories private and lasting with your favorite person.  It features some live interactive interfaces such as sketching and thumbkiss.  Sketching allows both to draw on a single picture board simultaneously.  Thumbkiss features real-time thumbprints on the screen that light up red and vibrate when the two touch.  Sure these sound corny, but with hundreds of miles between you, the added dimensions help you remain close at heart.

Finally, making trips to see each other is vital.  Whether you meet in between or alternate destinations, it is a must.  Nothing can replace the ease of just being near each other.  Luckily I have flexibility in travel and the know-how with cheap quick flights through Spirit Airlines.  See my other post on How to Travel Spirit Airlines and hopefully they can keep the Spirit of your love alive too.

If two people truly care for each other, they will make it work no matter what.  And no matter where we are, I love my life as his wife.

Honey, we’ll be under the same roof soon, but for now sweet dreams under the same moon.

I know a few of you out there have done the long distance relationship before too.  What helped you prepare or get through that time?