I've never really had a long distance relationship, but I am about to embark on one. There are no decent paying jobs in this city so my wife is going to relocate to the old city 2 hours away. It's a mutual decision. This place is two small for two and we are tripping over each others feet. She wants to earn, which is good considering since March we have been living on my income and so I have had to pay double for everything. My private pension, her private pension. My private health insurance, her private insurance. All these things eventually add up. When you become as middle class and materialistic as me these things start to grate.

I only work 3 and a half days a week, so will be able to go over and stay half the week, but part of me is actually quite invigorated by the prospect of having the place to myself. I have been married since I was 25 and recently things have started to feel jaded for me. I feel penned in and unable to manage my own life on my own terms. Now I am going to be in charge of paying my own bills and that is such a liberating feeling. If I want to have a beer, then I can! If I want to actually meet people, then I can feel free to do so. The long distance is a chance for actual freedom!

You are clearly very young with romantic ideals and values, but when you get to my age and the chance of a little freedom comes up, you jump at the chance.