Valentine’s Day is the most romantic holiday of the year as it is the designated time to show your significant other that you care and appreciate them. Yet, several students at the University of Tennessee who are in relationships may be celebrating Feb. 14 from far away.

In fact, National Library of Medicine stated that college students in long-distance relationships were approximately 34% more prevalent than students involved in long-term relationships.

Julianna Lisi is one such student — what once began as a typical friendship sprouted into a committed relationship for Lisi, a junior studying finance. She has been dating her boyfriend for over a year, and to say that she and her boyfriend are loving from a distance is an understatement, as he went off to boot camp for the National Guard.

To make the situation more complex, their communication was limited at one point in their relationship as he was only allowed to have his phone — their only source of communication at the time — for one hour a week.

Given that the restriction of communication put a strain on their relationship, Lisi created hobbies for herself.

“Some ways I would cope is by spending time with family and friends, writing in a journal, doing some self care and working out,” Lisi said.

Carly Pineda, a sophomore studying public health, went through similar complications regarding her relationship with her boyfriend of two and a half years.

Pineda and her boyfriend’s significant challenges are working around their busy schedules to make time for each other and to find suitable communication styles to make each other feel seen.

To combat this, Pineda and her boyfriend have scheduled virtual dates and switch who plans them. Pineda and her boyfriend take one of their shared passions, Bible study, and practice that together over the phone.

“One time we DoorDash each other food for dinner, and it was a surprise to see what you got,” Pineda said. “It was fun to do something a little different and still feel like we can have dates.”

Though maintaining a relationship from afar has disadvantages, it takes on a deeper meaning when it comes to love. Having a partner miles away makes you realize you are worth the distance. While you and your partner may be physically apart, the distance can strengthen the emotional bond.

“Long distance makes the time we have in person together so much more meaningful, and I am truly blessed to have someone to miss, and that missed me,” Pineda said.

Healthy communication and mutual prioritization reflects genuine commitment and demonstrates mature relationship skills among partners.

“Doing something other than texting and calling can keep your relationship alive,” Lisi said. “Don’t stop putting in the effort and do anything you can to show them you love them.”

Alexis Buchanan, a junior studying marketing, is currently going on four years with her long-distance boyfriend, Max Hoener, as they go to different colleges.

To make their relationship worthwhile, they never go a day without saying good morning and goodnight. Buchanan sheds light on a positive perspective about being miles away from Hoener.

“What makes long distance worth it for me is knowing that four years without the person I love is nothing compared to the lifetime we will have together,” Buchanan said. “Every time I get to see him at the airport when I get off the plane and he smiles, it’s like there has been no time apart at all.”