Summer lovin'...is it worth the wait?

A lot of people have recently asked me "What are going to do about the summer?" It's not exactly about summer jobs. One word: Rela-tion-ship.STATUS. Because lots of us like to think about those lazy summer days of endless movies, trips to the shore, and plenty of time with family and friends, no one wants to answer the open-ended question at the end of the school year - what do we do now? Once May 8 rolls around, couples all over Muhlenberg will be asking themselves that inevitable question. I'm sorry to say, I don't have a clear answer, but there are pros and cons to sticking with that special someone.

One of the things that constantly stick in my mind is the emotional attachment. Two people who are pretty into one another could agree that when the SUVs and moving trucks pull out of the dorm parking lots, it's siyanara sucka!

But can we really just turn off our feelings like a shower or sink spigot? I think not, my friends. We can all agree that the strings will release and those happy couples will be happy singles, but I don't think that's the case.

When you really enjoy someone's company, how can you just say goodbye to them? However, I know that keeping things hanging on without the constant visits from ML to East or Brown to Prosser can be pretty difficult with about 200 miles in between two lovebirds.

A phrase that constantly rolls off my tongue is "absence makes the heart grow fonder!" I wonder if whoever said this had to do a long-distance relationship in between semesters; if so, he or she could give some solid advice I bet!

Unfortunately there are loopholes in doing a long-distance relationship over the heat-waved months of June, July, and most of August. There are the ever popular "friends with benefits" or "open relationships." This may be all fine and dandy at first, but someone always ends up getting hurt in the end. Is it really worth the risk?

If two people like each other enough to do what kids do these days, why not just call it even and become - 'scuse the popular phrase - "exclusive?"

I mean, yeah there might be the issue of distance, but how would it work out? Tuesday is ____ (fill in the blank) day and then Saturday is for someone else. This spreads problems, and sometimes diseases, people!

Play it safe and try monogamy.it's an age-old practice and it has worked for a lot of people.

Again, if this isn't your style, I completely understand, disregard my ideas.

Luckily due to modern day technology, there are ways of dodging the X amount of miles bullet. Three little words to you weary ladies and gents.

Planes, trains, and automobiles. Sometimes traveling to see that person closest to your heart might cost a pretty penny, but I'm sure it's worth it. Try doing some research.

Look for the closest Amtrak station or closest airport terminal. Maybe split the cost with Mom and Dad, I'm sure they would understand.

Another ever popular destination spot could be meeting halfway. You go 50 percent, the other person goes 50 and you've got a perfect 100.

If you are both willing to make the effort then it will most likely work.

However, if one of you lives in an urban city, and the other person lives in the backwoods of the Rocky Mountains, then one of you might have to give a little more before you can get any. Ha. Ha.

At the end of the day, if there is someone around Chew Street who holds your heart, keep on holding! I guess I'm just an optimist. After all, it's only a few months, right? Uh.right! You never know, a few months apart could definitely strengthen your relationship, whether you've been together for over a year, or just a semester.

Just know that no matter what decision the two of you make, there are many more people out there who are in the same shoes as you, so never feel alone. While you're sitting by the pool sipping a piña colada or babysitting your little brother, there is another Mule out there who is missing someone as well.

Like my Mom says, "College is like a roller coaster. You have to get on, hold on tight, and scream as loud as you can!" Wow, get your head out of the gutter, readers! Seriously though? Just hold on tight and get ready for a wild ride!