A STACK of phone cards and an empty bank account have come to denote Ada Foo and Justin Lee's relationship.

Ada left for Australia to pursue her dreams of becoming a psychologist eight days after they officially became an item. They have been going out for a year and seven months now, but have spent most of that time apart.

Ada and Justin

"It's especially hard as the next hug would be in about four months' time. Since we are apart for such long periods of time, we have to constantly reassure each other that we still love one another. It's important to trust each other and to give the other person space and freedom," says Justin.

"It's knowing that I will come home one day after finishing my studies that keeps me going (in the relationship)," confides Ada who is looking forward to the day when they would not be separated by distance.

Most youngsters in their late teens and early 20s are at the stage of their lives when they are embarking on new paths. They are most likely to further their studies in a different city or country, or starting new jobs and endeavours.

Some who are already going out with someone have no choice but to put their relationships through the test of time and distance. It is difficult and tiring to keep a relationship strong in the absence of contact and intimacy.

WORTH THE HARDSHIP

There are however those who would rather go through the challenges of a long distance relationship than give up their loved ones.

Koh Hsien Ju, 20, and Ng Kwok Tsu, 23, are two high school sweethearts who have really lasted the test of time. They did not hesitate to try out a long distance relationship when Kwok Tsu left for Perth, Australia to further his studies. .

"We didn't even think about breaking up because we believed that we were stable enough to go through this. It was hard for me in the beginning as he enjoyed university life but I too started enjoying my new found independence when I went over to Ireland," says Hsien Ju.

Ada and Justin

As they have so little time together when they are apart, Hsien Ju and Kwok Tsu tend to cherish each other more. They realise that they tend to take each other more for granted and get into squabbles when they are together. Still, they have been together for six years, three of which have been spend away from each other.

Some couples in long distance relationship try their best to make every moment they get to spend together as pleasant as possible before they have to part ways again.

BRIDGING THE DISTANCE

Other couples find that they have to be innovative to keep their relationship strong.

Liew Suet Li, 19, and Barry Ooi Eu Hock, 21, have been together for a year and a half before the latter left to further his studies in the US last year.

"We use the webcam a lot as we need to talk to each constantly," says Barry.

Barry Ooi and Liew Suet Li

When asked if they have a common goal, Suet Li laughs and nudges Barry.

"Do we have a common goal? Set one now!" Barry relents and says, "I guess the goal is to get her to go to the States to study so that it won't be a long term thing. This way, the future is more certain."

Some, like Sarah Chong, 19, and Rudy Khaw, 22, are unperturbed by the distance.

"Being in a long distance relationship didn't prove to be a problem for me," says Rudy.

"If I knew that I truly liked someone, it wouldn't be a problem.

Says Sarah: "My priorities are obviously to do well in my studies and get a job. I also want to study abroad again after my six-month-scholarship ends and have the opportunity to travel more frequently."

It's important to put your goals in front of you than diving head first into a sea of giddy romance, completely blind to the realities of the world.

NOT MEANT TO BE

However, not all relationships can withstand the long periods of separation.

There are those who just do not see the light at the end of the tunnel. Kimberley had a fantastic relationship with her long distance boyfriend but they decided to not go on when they faced the fact that they'd not be living in the same city anytime soon.

"One of the big questions was what if our futures don't intersect?" says Kimberley.

"The distance and uncertainty were very tough on me. What was most upsetting for me was that I had absolutely no clue when I would see him again. To only hear his voice on the other end of the line was pretty bad too," shares Kimberley.

She had a long talk with her boyfriend recently. His career was really taking off and Kimberley was leaving to another country to pursue her studies.

"We know that we are headed in different directions, and thus parted amicably. We're back to being the close friends that we once were," says Kimberly who has since found closure.

With long distance relationships, there's not much we can do but keep an open mind and play it by ear. There are no guarantees anyway in relationships, whether long distance or otherwise.