Does distance make the heart grows fonder?

depends.

if the relationship does not have a strong foundation, or did not share enough 'close-proximity-memories' together, then suddenly they have to survive on a LDR (long distance relationship), it will be tough. meaning, if you only went out with the gal/guy for a couple of months then one of you have to go away, it is hard because there's many things you did not get to do together like other couples.

i went out with a guy after meeting him for a month plus, he's great, and we kept in touch after i left for studies. then we decided that we could actually give this relationship a shot - on the basis that we will be with each other again after i graduate, and in between getting to see each other. well, it went alright for a year and a half, until our memories together start fading away. in total of the 547.5 days that we were so-called in a relationship, we probably spent less than 30 days in person, together. do u call that a relationship? technically yes. because you share the connection, you are committed to each other. yet to my definition, maybe it isn't quite a full-flesh relationship as well.

the next relationship was what i wanted more. (call me conforming to the norm whatsoever) i was in college, he was in uni, we were both studying, and we assist in each other's assignments, test each other during exams, took the bus and stuck for hours of jam to see each other, spent a bomb on a fancy dinner for special occasions, learnt to deal with each other's family, skipped classes for movies, broke, then slowly when i got a car, i graduate, i got a job, he too moves on, and we are still part of each other's lives.

i find it important to be sharing the same space with the person you are 'acquainted' to - that is how best you can learn the characters and attitude of each other. over the phone or over the net sometimes u juz really couldnt read the person's emotion or true response.

nevertheless, every relationship works in a mysterious way. it's an organic form, never a time u can say "we did it. this is it. our relationship is perfect." NEVER. constantly we need to be nurturing each other, helping each other to grow, work together, learn about each other...

"Where there is love, nothing is too much trouble, and there is always time." Baha'i Writings