Let it be or Let it Last
Most holiday romances end in heartbreak and longing for that special person, or in a long distance relationship. I have friends doing long distance from Philadelphia to Copenhagen, from Ann Arbor to Munich, and one from New Jersey to Iowa (although, that is comparably less romantic), but I also have friends that cut contact and think of their romance fondly and frequently - I am in that group.
When deciding to commit to being long distance, a lot goes into it. How far apart are you? How long until you see each other? How well do you know each other in your normal day to day lives and not on a stress-free vacation? How old are you? What’s your job? How long will the long distance last? When you're so infatuated with someone, all these questions become daunting. Do you listen to your heart or your head? If you’re lucky, both will tell you to let it last. If you’re a hopeless romantic like me, you listened to your heart.
While my vacation romance turned long distance romance was short-lived, I wouldn't take it back. Meeting an amazing guy in Vienna and falling for him from Vienna, to Munich, to Berlin, to London, and finally to Paris, is an experience I was lucky to have and am even luckier to remember. It taught me more about myself and relationships than I ever thought a short two months could, and I’m a better version of myself for it. We could have let it be, but then we’d be living with that “what if’s” and to me, that’s worse than us not working out. Maybe we weren’t meant to be, but at least we tried to be. Who knows, maybe we’ll cross paths again, and maybe you will with your vacation fling too. All I know is, logic is important, and all those questions are vital, but the heart wants what it wants (yes, I’m quoting Selena Gomez). I’ve learned to wear my heart on my sleeve, for better or worse, and never be ashamed of how I feel or what I want. Maybe I’ll never talk to my fling turned boyfriend again, maybe we’ll be friends, maybe more, but all I can do is thank him for giving me an amazing few weeks and making me feel seen.
I guess the takeaway is this: it’s important to think about the bigger picture, but sometimes you learn more about yourself by wearing your heart on your sleeve. I don’t think anyone can do wrong by any decision they make in this scenario, as long as you stay true to who you are and what you want. Maybe you won’t be able to let the relationship last, but you’ll last. You’ll carry the memories and lessons forever, and neither letting it be or letting it last will take that away from you.
