It is now in the first week of April. The spring rain has fallen, the temperature is beginning to rise, and increased sunlight is causing flowers to bloom. The first quarter of this year has now passed. And, this week is significant to me, as it marks the longest relationship I have ever had with a girlfriend, in my life.

On the evening of December 6, 2014 I received a Facebook message as I was leaving from work, from an attractive young lady from Tennessee that I recently sent a friend request to. She messaged me after reading some of my blog posts; she said that I had an “…uplifting and inspiring blog”. In reading her message I immediately knew something about her was different, and I really felt she connected with my heart. After texting back and forth for a few days, we began talking on the phone everyday. I was really into her. Fast forward three and a half weeks… I had to meet this girl, so I rented a car and drove 8 1/2 hours to meet her on New Year’s Eve for the first time. After finally meeting her, I knew that I wanted to take our relationship to the next level. Though she was cautious of opening up her heart to me (rightfully so, I could have been some crazy dude with bad intentions), I feel she liked me enough to begin a long-distance relationship with me.

Now fast forward three months from 1/1/15… last week she made her first trip to Louisiana to meet my family and friends. We had an amazing time! Though I’m still worn out by all the activities we did, being a gracious host, and everything else, I know our relationship grew by leaps and bounds just in the few days she was here. I loved being with her and I know she loved being around me, as we both share similar love languages: Physical Touch and Quality Time.

Now she’s gone back home to Tennessee. We are now talking on the phone everyday, telling each other “I miss you” and life is back to usual for both of us… but I’m not satisfied. I want the real thing. This long-distance relationship thing is getting a little old, just as I am getting a little old 🙂 . However, I do believe that it is a good thing that she lives so far away. Since our only communication is through the phone, it challenges me to be more affectionate verbally with her, and it basically eliminates any sexual temptations that I may have (as we both are practicing celibacy until marriage).

So what’s next for me in this relationship? What are we working towards? What can we build? What can we accomplish? These are questions I’ve been thinking about as I’m beginning to include her in my life and future decisions. I’m so ready to begin my life with her and start to live out some of my dreams. Love makes a relationship, and is the center of our relationship, but a loving relationship without a plan is like a pie without filling. Both are lacking substance.