Gambino,
I JUST got out of a long-distance relationship so I think I can give you a first-hand opinion. I learned soooo much and grew up soooo fast in this last year I hope my experience can give you some sort of insight.
My long-distance relationship with my now ex lasted a year. She lived 8 hours away. The only way these type of relationships can survive is if BOTH parties are willing to make the sacrifices (that is, willing to stay committed without seeing the other person frequently). I was willing, ready, and able to, but as the relationship wore on, my ex was not and she eventually found another guy. I sort of saw it coming because as the relationship got more serious and intense around the year long mark, she started saying how she wanted me to find someone who could give me more, etc etc etc. In other words, she tried to let me go "nicely", and now that I look back on it in retrospect, I now know the relationship for her was toast at that point because .... she gave up and wasn't willing to make those sacrifices anymore. It hurts so bad because I was.
It is the most painful and heartbreaking feeling in the world knowing that I invested a YEAR of my life to this woman and to this long-distance relationship only to have it go down the drain. However, there is a saying I constantly refer to to help ease my mind. That saying is...
"It is better to have loved and lost, then to never have loved at all."
You do understand that the odds are well against you. You do realize that in long-distance relationships you already have a strike against you and that you will have to work TWICE as hard, put in TWICE the energy and effort, and risk TWICE as much (if not more). The risk of it failing is much greater, yet the chances of it succeeding are much slimmer. The ONLY way it will work is if BOTH parties are willing to sacrifice... and to CONSTANTLY sacrifice!
It will be twice as taxing on your body, mind, and soul. You do not understand how it is soooo incredibly draining EMOTIONALLY and MENTALLY not being able to see/smell/touch/taste the other person on a regular basis and not knowing what they are doing. Can you handle that??? Are you willing to go through with this??? Just as importantly, do you think SHE is willing???
One thing about your situation is that she is only 2.5 hours away. For ME personally, that is not a long drive and I would be able to visit frequently if I were in your shoes. However, you have that year and a half factor that is against you and only you know how these things will affect you.
All I can say is, long-distances relationships are a lot harder, a lot tougher, and a lot more draining in virtually every aspect body and mind. You are taking a much bigger risk by investing yourself into something that is bound to fail. The longer the relationship goes on, the harder it gets (much moreso than in "normal" relationships).
Then there is LOVE. I'm talking TRUE love. If you truly love this girl and she truly loves you, ANYTHING is possible! The odds are against you, but that doesn't mean you have no odds in your favour. I suggest you take a long hard look in the mirror at yourself and at her, and ask yourself how you really do feel about her and how she feels about you.
Do I regret getting involved in a long-distance relationship and would I change it if I could? No. I learned too much to regret things. I definitely matured in ways I never knew I would.
Would I get involved in another long-distance relationship? No. Too taxing on me emotionally and mentally. More costly in some ways as well (main one being time).
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