Luckily for people in a long-distance relationship, nowadays we have the almighty internet, which makes connecting different ends of the world a matter of just a few clicks. Because of the internet, we also have all sorts of online communities, including the ‘Long Distance’ one on Reddit.

In their own words, “r/LongDistance is a subreddit for and about long-distance relationships. For anyone considering (but not seeking), currently in, or who used to be, this is the community for you! We are here for support, advice, and community who can relate to your experiences.”

Knowing there are other people walking in the same shoes as you can be surprisingly comforting, so it’s safe to assume that the ‘Long Distance’ community brings at least some comfort to its 2.3 million members, too.

Ask anyone who’s ever been in a long-distance relationship (LDR), and they’ll tell you exactly how much fun they had having to say goodbye to their favorite person time and again, or having to endure periods of lack of contact, due to different time zones and busy schedules.

“Long-distance relationships can get tricky when there are barriers to staying in contact, such as a significant time difference or period of time in which the person can’t be reached via phone or email,” said Dr. Marisa T. Cohen, a relationship researcher and a marriage and family therapist.

“Though even in these scenarios you can write letters or get creative during the lag in contact,” she added.

“In these situations, a person may feel as if they are losing their connection to their partner or may experience loneliness,” Dr. Cohen continued. “The logistics of a LDR can also be challenging in that you have to plan visits, which can be time-consuming and expensive. It also requires schedules to align with one another. Overall, people need to put time and effort into prioritizing the relationship and saving space for their partner—in an LDR, or any relationship, for that matter—or it won’t work out.”

There can be hundreds of ways for a long-distance relationship to form. Some people meet their significant other during an exchange program that inevitably comes to an end. Some couples are separated by choosing different colleges after surviving high school together. Some people might meet someone while on vacation and unexpectedly fall head over heels in a matter of a few days. There are also internet romances that start with just a few clicks.

But no matter the way they start, LDRs often require patience, as well as good communication and planning skills, in order to continue thriving.

“To have a successful long-distance relationship, clear communication and advanced planning are very important,” Dr. Cohen pointed out, adding that while navigating a long-distance relationship can present unique challenges, there are some benefits, too.

“These include personal growth as a result of autonomy over one’s schedule and needs, the deep emotional connection gained as a result of creative communication, and the ability to connect with two communities and enhance your social networks,” the expert said.

Talking about the positive sides of a long-distance relationship, Dr. Cohen noted that some research has shown that those in LDRs report higher levels of relationship quality and dedication to their relationships than those in close proximity.

“People in LDRs can maintain a sense of independence. This enables them to engage more with their friends, community, and take on extra responsibilities or roles at work,” she told Bored Panda.

“They also tend to get better at communicating with one another, as that is their main way of interacting with one another. Finally, people in LDRs benefit from having two home bases (if they travel to see one another). They may begin to plant roots in both locations and benefit from exposure to locations they may not have traveled to individually.”

Dr. Cohen shared that those who find themselves miles away from their favorite person shouldn’t concern themselves too much with the belief that long-distance relationships don’t lead to success or are too challenging to navigate. “They can be just as—or even more—rewarding than relationships in which partners are in close proximity to one another,” she said.

They can also lead to a happily ever after, as some of the pictures on this list show.