Dear Meredith,

I am in my 20s, originally from Boston, and working in another state for the time being. I met my boyfriend in Boston more than a year ago. We both got jobs across the country (in different places) and moved to try the seasonal work life. I should probably also mention that I’ve have two long-term relationships in the past. Finally, I’m in a happy one.

It’s been months now of doing the long-distance thing. We’ve driven out to see each other (10-plus hour drives), call as often we can, send letters and packages, and talk candidly about the joys and frustrations of long-distance love.

As is the nature of the seasonal work life, the main focus is finding and securing the next job. My time limit is that if we have not figured out a way to be together by 5 years, then maybe this relationship won’t work. He is on the same page.

But that’s 5 years of phone calls and always missing someone — hmmf. I like the relationship because it gives me the opportunity to focus just on my work and not get distracted by mindless short-term romantic flirtations. I also like that I have an actual goal in my life — getting a solid career going doing something I love so that I can make a life with my boyfriend someday.

But do long-distance relationships work when there is no end in sight and life is so nomadic? What kind of stories are out there about success stories, and failures?

– Maybe I should just hug a tree, Out West