Love is in the air, and for some Wildcats, it’s traveled hundreds of miles.
Students come to the UA from all over, but they can’t always take their partners with them. These couples try to maintain long-distance relationships between different cities, states and even countries.
Molly Tatosian, a communications sophomore, is in a long-distance relationship with her boyfriend of two years, who lives in Chicago. When Tatosian made the decision to come to the UA from Chicago, she said she thought they would break up, but knew she didn’t want to lose him. Tatosian said it was difficult at first, and though she cried on her flight to Tucson, things got easier as she became more occupied with school.
“I know I love him and want to be with him,” Tatosian said.
She and her boyfriend make the effort to Skype, call and text each other on a regular basis. He is even flying to Tucson to spend time with her on Valentine’s Day.
Tatosian said a couple has to feel a certain way for each other because a long-distance relationship is “not something you would do [for] anyone.” Even though people thought their relationship wouldn’t last, it is still going strong, Tatosian said.
Jessica Mergener, a biomedical engineering junior, said that the success of long-distance relationships depends on the type of people involved.
She was in a long-distance relationship throughout her freshman year of college with her boyfriend from high school in Phoenix. Mergener said that when she got to the UA, she realized that they were at different stages in their lives and that it was difficult to understand each others’ interests.
“I get along better with people when I’m physically with them,” Mergener said.
The hardest part, Mergener said, was the breakup, because her then-boyfriend had to drive to Tucson to hear the news.
Her other experience with a long-distance relationship was with a foreign exchange student from England. Mergener said that they met at the UA and began dating. When he returned to England for winter break, they still stayed in contact.
“You have to be compatible to stay in touch,” Mergener said.
After the breakup, Mergener said that she traveled to England, which was a “wake-up call” because she found out that the two were just good friends.
Daniel Wheeler, a pre-business freshman, said that while he has never personally been in a long-distance relationship, he believes it requires dedication and a full commitment, but that eventually long-distance relationships “emotionally deteriorate.”
Some couples at the UA may spend their Valentine’s Day evening over a romantic dinner, while others may opt for a quiet night at home with Netflix. But for those in a long-distance relationship, Cupid’s arrow will have to travel a little farther this Friday.
