Something to think about...

[Thom]

As most of you probably know I have a girlfriend; for the purposes of this thread, let's call her Lydia...Because that's her name.

A little piece of information that many of you will not be so familiar with is that I'm currently studying a degree in American Studies at University.

As part of my American Studies degree, I'm being offered the chance to go over and spend between 9 and 18 weeks in America next summer (Late June onwards) 9 weeks working at a summer camp, and then up to 9 weeks doing my own thing in America, working, travelling, sampling the finest cereal that they have to offer.

This trip would be incredible, it sounds like a lot of fun, it's a real once-in-a-lifetime, pretty unique opportunity, to spend an entire summer in a completely different country, and it'd also be beneficial not only to my degree, but employers would look fondly on that sort of shit if it was up there on my CV.

The one drawback is, assuming by the end of June Lydia and I are hitting our 13 month anniversary, how the fuck am I gonna manage to spend up to 4 months away from her? It seems impossible to spend that length of time away from her. I mean, that's like two thirds of the length of time we've currently been together. I know we could both be trusted to remain faithful, but is that really fair on both of us? And if we went on a break while we were seperated, would we ever recover from it? People can change a lot in 4 months under normal circumstances, what happens in this sort of an environment?

Anybody else ever been in a similar position? It's a headfuck alright. And I haven't even mentioned it to Lydia yet...

[Jobber]

Take her along, if that is at all an option.

[Thom]

Much as I'd like to, I don't think it'd be possible, I can't expect her to drop her entire life for four months because I want a holiday.

[Aero]

2 summers ago, my girlfriend went to work in france for 17 weeks, 3 weeks into that time was our 1 year anniversary, we're still together, better still we're living together and ...gay as im about to sound.... i think it actually made us stronger.

just make sure you keep in touch etc.

oh, and make sure you ask her if its ok... guilt her into making her feel you have to go if need be, but ask her never the less.

[RingMaster2001]

Don't go then.

[Can't Be Arsed]

No, you gotta go man. You'll regret it if you don't.

[Big Bizang]

Suck it up. You can't be totally wrapped up in one person for ever you will come away being pathetic and needy. Go, you clearly want to and ask if she would consider it as well. Fuck me, you've been together this long, a year before you go, it's not as if you'll suddenly think you hate each other just because you're on the other side of the world.

You have to do your own thing and never let a girl hold you back. But who knows, maybe she'll want to come...

[Thom]

It's not me that I'm worried about, I know that I'd be able to do it, sure I'd miss her like fuck, but the thing that would make it worse is thinking of how much she'll be missing me.

I don't think her going is an option, cause I think you have to be 18 to go, and she won't be 18 until I get back.