By Heather Monahan
Features Assignment Editor
Picking out a box of cards with your favorite cartoon character on it and making each one out to a specific classmate before signing your name isn’t exactly complicated, but it seemed like it was when we were kids. Who should get the biggest cards? Which Valentine do you give to your crush? Do you really have to give a Valentine to the kid you’ve never talked to?
Now that we’re older, we’ve moved on from boxed Valentines and conversational hearts. Valentine’s Day is more about couples showing their affection for each other. However, that can prove to be difficult if your significant other is far away. This is a problem some Bonaventure students face not only on this holiday, but throughout the entire school year.
Sophomore sports studies major Jenna Schlagenhauf’s boyfriend goes to Mercyhurst University, which is an hour and a half away from Bonaventure.
“We’ve been dating for almost four years,” Jenna said. “It’s extremely difficult to be away from him at school.”
However, Jenna said she and her boyfriend have found a way to make the distance easier on their relationship.
“We FaceTime a lot and we usually talk on the phone before bed every night,” she said. “We try to see each other every two to three weeks but it’s really hard to do with my lacrosse schedule. Most of the time we can only see each other for a day but it’s definitely worth it.”
Jenna said while she misses having her boyfriend around all the time, it’s even harder at this time of year.
“It’s really hard being away from him on Valentine’s Day,” Jenna said. “Especially when I see all of these couples together, it really makes me miss him.”
Jenna said that while long-distance relationships can be difficult, they’re not impossible.
“As long as both people want to make it work, it can work,” Jenna said. “It definitely isn’t easy and it’s hard being away from each other, but it’s worth it. The year has its ups and downs but when summer comes, it feels amazing to spend so much time together.”
Jenna’s sister, junior business management major Sara Schlagenhauf, is also in a long-distance relationship.
Sara’s boyfriend graduated from Niagara Community College and currently lives near her hometown, working for a roofing company. She said the distance between them is about two hours.
“It’s definitely difficult, but if you love someone enough, then distance shouldn’t matter,” Sara said. “Absence makes the heart grow fonder is what my mom always said.”
She also mentioned that trust plays a big part in relationships; it is something that remains strong in long-distance relationships.
“There are some couples that can’t be away from each other,” she said. “If you love someone enough, the time between seeing someone shouldn’t make a difference. If anything, it just strengthens your love for one another.”
Sara said she stays in contact with her boyfriend via text message and phone calls when he isn’t visiting. With Valentine’s Day falling on a Thursday this year, Sara said it was harder for her boyfriend to come visit.
“He works early in the morning, so whenever he comes to Bonaventure during the week, he ends up leaving at four in the morning,” she said. “He’s the best.”
Junior psychology major Alyssa West, however, was unable to see her boyfriend this Valentine’s Day.
“I wish I could find a way to see him. I’m two hours away from him,” West said.
While West said her boyfriend is busy with school at SUNY Brockport and two jobs, they still find a way to keep in touch, which makes the relationship worthwhile.
“Having a boyfriend hours away from you is challenging,” West said. “You often get so sad that little things may cause trouble.”
Though it’s difficult for some to be away from a significant other on Valentine’s Day, junior sports studies major Emmett O’Connor said neither he nor his girlfriend mind.
“I’m not really big into Valentine’s Day and I know she’s not either,” O’Connor said. “But I guess seeing everyone do all of their couple stuff makes me miss my girlfriend more.”
O’Connor said his girlfriend lives in his hometown of Ajax, Ontario and goes to school at University of Ontario Institute of Technology. Despite the four-hour drive, he said their relationship remains strong.
“Obviously I miss her a lot, but I keep busy because I have soccer every day,” O’Connor said.
The Schlagenhauf sisters, West and O’Connor all agree that long-distance relationships are doable despite how hard they can be at times.
“Only the individuals involved can tell if it’s worth it to keep it going,” O’Connor said. “It’s not easy but if you care about the person enough then you can find a way to make it work.”
