I've been with my girlfriend for 5 months now and she's leaving at the end of the month to hike the Appalachian trail for 5-6 months. I'll be pretty busy with grad school, but she's become such a constant in my life I'm going to miss her like there is no tomorrow when she's gone. She's someone I've developed such a close relationship with and I personally feel that I can see myself with her for the rest of my life. I've never had such a connection with someone like this. I've not done a long-distance relationship in the past and I don't want things to change while she's gone for the 5-6 months. Any advice you could offer, I would love. I'm really starting to stress and be upset that she's going to be gone. Thanks.

First, you have a badass girlfriend. A walk through of the AT is nothing to shake a stick at, so she really must be an awesome person. Rock on!

Second, that sucks. Those 5-6 months you will not have a lot of contact with her. I can feel your pain (my boyfriend and I were long distance for 2 years before we moved in together) but you will have a different kind of LDR.

It's still early in your relationship so the "honeymoon stage" is still going strong - which isn't a bad thing! But it'll be painful to not be in contact with her. You need to focus on yourself for those few months. It's going to hurt but if you're going to make it, you need to distract yourself. You will be very busy with grad school; focus on that and your grades and how far along you'll be by the time she gets back!

Bottom line, if your girlfriend is badass and independent and amazing enough to take on the AT, you have a catch and someone who is worth waiting for. I'm sure she isn't thrilled about being apart from you either, but it's something she needs to do and not feel guilty about doing. If you two have a strong enough relationship, you'll make it :) I wish you and her the absolute best of luck!!!

Wow! That is amazing she is going to walk the trail! For 5-6 months! What a dream! She is a keeper for sure!

Know she will miss you just as much and that she will be having an amazing time. Tell her to take lots of pictures to share with you when she comes back! It'll be like you went with her and you care to know what she experienced!

I did long distance when my ex went to a college that was around 4 hours away. I would go weeks without seeing him and it is hard. We had communication, so I was wondering... can you text her/skype? I am not sure since she is going to be hiking if there is any cell reception or whatever lol! I always sent him care packages and we kept each other up to date on schedules. So maybe have her map out where she is going and what day! So you can see what she is up to!

Focus on yourself, for the most part and try to make goals and achieve them by the end of the month. Want to paint a picture? Try a little painting time day by day! Want to run 3 miles? Make little increments day by day! This will help keep your mind off of it and will help you eat up time.

Can you write to her? Is there anyway that is a possibility? If not, maybe keep a journal of things you did when she was away and you can show her! LOL! I hope the best! ❤️ It's hard, but you'll come out stronger then ever as a couple! If you don't mind me asking, how did you both meet? :)

Thank you both for your replies! She is one fantastic lady, I definitely agree. The closer we get to the end of the month, the more I'm starting to be upset about her not being here. I moved almost 1000 miles away for grad school; I'm in my 3rd year (out of 4) and didn't know anyone when I moved here. It's been hard and of course I've made friends, but just having her here has been the most comforting thing, especially as I've started my clinical rotations. At one point, I thought I had gotten over the honeymoon stage, but now I'm not so sure; I'm just enjoying the time we have left together before she leaves). We are going to try to skype/call/text as much as we can, but I don't know how much reception she is going to have. Even when she goes into towns, reception may be spotty, at best. I figure I'll try to write letters and send a few care packages when I can. But it will be a lot of things on her terms, which I'm fine with. I just am not sure how I'm going to handle being on my own again. She's certainly worth waiting for, that is no question! I'm just concerned about the time in between how I'm going to handle it. We met online back in September and had an amazing first date; we've been together since. She's simply amazing.

That sucks and I really do feel for you. I know what you mean by moving and not having any friends other than your SO and them kind of accidentally being your crutch keeping you sane but you don't care. All I can say is that you enjoy the rest of the time you have with her and prepare for the times you will be without. It sounds like you will be very busy anyway, so I think you should delve into your work and let that be your life for a while.

Reception will be very spotty while on the AT, so contact will be sparse. Care package will be VERY appreciated and if you write letters to her I know she'd LOVE them and absolutely look forward to them. It absolutely sounds like you're crazy about her and care for her a lot. As much as it'll suck it will make your relationship stronger :)