From a distance: Lovers celebrate holiday apart

Some students may be busy making Valentine's Day dinner reservations or stocking up on chocolates and flowers for their boyfriends or girlfriends, while others may be trying to find a way to cope without their lovers this weekend.

For those students in a long-distance relationship, this time of year can be difficult.

Susan Danzis (junior-psychology) and her boyfriend, Andy Tauber, have had a long-distance relationship for the past two and a half years, she said.

Danzis, whose boyfriend is in Idaho with the Air Force, is trying to deal with the separation by looking to their future.

- Jay Domino (junior-accounting)

Since they can only see each other every few months, Danzis and Tauber try to keep their spark going with a little creativity.

"It takes a lot more than just talking on the phone," Danzis said. "You have to be creative -- send little funny things to each other. Otherwise, it would get boring."

Some long-distance relationships are not as difficult as Danzis'.

Lisa Cole (junior-communications) gets to spend plenty of quality time with her boyfriend, Josh Schreiber, who lives in Philadelphia.

"It's very hard, but I see him at least one weekend a month," Cole said. "The only thing that has really changed is the phone bill."

Cole said she misses being able to hold Schreiber whenever she wants, but she knows their long-distance relationship will ultimately help them appreciate each other more.

"It gives me a chance to step back and see what I have with Josh," Cole said. "It also forces us to be apart so we can explore ourselves separately."

Jay Domino (junior-accounting) said he enjoys the little bit of time he gets to spend with his girlfriend, Molly Temple. They only see each other about three times during the course of a semester, he said, because she is in South Carolina at Coastal Carolina University.

"It's very difficult for me to be so far away from her," Domino said. "In times of emotional hardship, it's tough not to be there for her."

Domino said he knows their relationship can only become better because of the distance between them.

"It makes me realize how strong our relationship is," Domino said. "The times I do see her are very special to me."

Temple and Domino will be together on Valentine's Day.

However, Danzis will not be able to be with her boyfriend.

"This is the third Valentine's Day we have not been together, but I'm getting used to it," Danzis said.

Even though Domino will be able to spend Valentine's Day with his girlfriend, he said it wouldn't matter if they were not together on the day.

"To me, Valentine's Day is a way to show the person you love just how much you appreciate them," he said. "I make sure to remind Molly of that everyday, so Valentine's Day will be just another Saturday for us."

Whether it's across a candlelit table or across state lines, Cole said, Valentine's Day is a time to remember loved ones.

"In the end, long-distance relationships can make or break a couple," she said. "With a little luck, it'll make it stronger."