Only once have I ever done a long distance relationship.  I was in my second year of University at the time and spending the summer out West.  After having just started dating someone earlier that year…we decided to do our best to make it work…despite the fact that I would be in a new city every three days.  And we did make it work.  We even managed to stay together for another year and a half after I returned to Ottawa.

But, if I’m being entirely honest…then I would need to say that – while we did manage to hold our relationship together during that time – that’s all we really did.  We held it together.  And sometimes just by threads.  Our relationship didn’t grow…we as individuals didn’t grow…and ultimately, those months apart were just spent biding our time until it was all over.

I think it’s safe to say that, regardless of the situation, long distance relationships can be hard.  There is seldom anything appealing about being away from the people you love.  But great relationships – really great relationships – don’t let distance become a factor.

Six days before Emma and Aidan’s wedding, I met up with them to go over the final details of their big day.  I met up with Aidan and their gorgeous Maid of Honour, while Emma joined us via Skype.  From Spain.  At midnight.  And that’s where Emma had been for the weeks leading up to her wedding and she wouldn’t return home until thirty-six hours prior to her big day.  And once the vows had been said…the glasses had been raised…and the dances had been had…she would be off again.  This time for three months, on the other side of the world.

And that can’t be easy.  But Emma and Aidan make it look easy.

And this ease at which they handle their chosen arrangement is truly one of my most favourite things about them.  Because not everyone could do it.  Not everyone could spend months apart as newlyweds and still call it marriage.  Not everyone could encourage their spouse through every continent and time zone and culture so that they can be the very best that they can be.  Not everyone could say “Go…pursue your goals.  Not only will I be here when you get back…but I’ll be here every step along the way”.

But Emma and Aidan can.  And that makes their relationship so uniquely incredible.

Because any relationship that doesn’t ask you to choose…any relationship that encourages you to dream…and any relationship that helps you get there…is a relationship worth holding on to.

And it’s a relationship worth celebrating…just like we did on this beautiful day…