1 long-distance relationship. 1 cancelled wedding. 1 pandemic. A story of making a relationship work against all odds.

Make an effort and do things your partner doesn’t expect from you. Be less predictable.

The relationship

I’ve been with the same woman for over ten years, and contrary to popular belief, it’s not particularly difficult.

Sure, we’ve had our ups and downs. We’ve had moments that have taken us to the brink. But we’ve also had moments that brought us inseparably close.

There are very specific incidents and moments in our lives that define the trajectory of the rest of our lives. Everyone usually has one or two of them.

My relationship has had four. I’m not going to get into the details, for they are personal, and I’d like to keep certain facets of my life private.

When a relationship has seen as many as that, you tend to figure out survival strategies and coping mechanisms to get over the challenges trying to weigh you down.

“We survived our PhDs, Booboo. I doubt we’re going to face anything more challenging,” I’d keep telling her.

Shit! Was I wrong about that!

We started our PhDs in December 2012, and the moment I spoke to her, I knew she was the one.

• We are both Disney nuts.
• We love the 70s, 80s…