Skyrocketing phone bills. Layovers and missed flights. Countless hours spent pining, worrying, and wondering, Why do we do this to ourselves? Long-distance love can be one challenge afteranother, but as most committed couples will tell you, the rewards well outweigh the stresses. In this sensitive yet sensible guide, long-distance veterans Chris and Kate provide strategies for making the distance seem shorter and outline eight essential skills for relationship success:

• Communicating effectively
• Establishing mutual goals and expectations
• Dealing with issues of trust, fidelity, and independence
• Having fun in spite of the distance
• Managing time, schedules, and stress
• Keeping the relationship real
• Balancing sex and emotional intimacy
• Making the transition to same-city living

Based on interviews with more than 100 couples and packed with knowledgeable tips and honest advice, THE LONG-DISTANCE RELATIONSHIP SURVIVAL GUIDE proves that, with patience and dedication, a loving relationship can not only survive but also thrive across the miles.