They say distance makes the heart grow fonder and long distance relationships put that quote to the test. For a high school senior to date someone who is experiencing their first year of college requires time, energy, and trust.

Senior Zoe Recchion, who has been dating 2013 graduate Joe Ogeka for a year and a half, said, “When Joe left it was weird that he wasn’t here, that he couldn’t just come over or we couldn’t just hangout.”

Joe DiBenedetto, who attends Indiana University, dates senior Dana Stachnik. He said about leaving, “I missed her a lot, but I didn’t want her to see it and get more upset.”

Communication is key in order to keep the relationship going. Vinny Gallo is about 1,200 miles from girlfriend Hannah Donohue but still manages to communicate with her by, “written mail via carrier pigeons.”

About how it effects school Dana Stachnik said, “It’s really tough to focus on school but Joe makes it a lot easier.” Hannah Donohue agreed by saying, “It’s hard not being able to see him but it helps a lot that we talk everyday.”

Joe Ogeka said that being in a long distance relationship “makes me more homesick and want to come home more.”

Reuniting makes the hard work all worth it though! Zoe Recchion said when she saw Joe for the first time, “it was like a movie, we were both really excited to see each other.”

All of the couples are anticipating Thanksgiving break since that’s when they’ll be together again. Hannah Donohue says, “We don’t have anything planned right now but as long as I get to see him I don’t care what we do!”