It is said that absence makes the heart grow fonder, but sometimes in long-distance relationships, the love can become lost.

Brittany Thurman, senior criminal justice major, who is originally from Riverside, Calif., has been involved in various long-distance relationships.

“When I came to Kent my freshman year, I had a boyfriend back in California, but it didn’t quite work out because I met someone here in Kent,” Thurman said. “After my boyfriend (whom Thurman met in Kent) graduated in spring of 2007, he went overseas for basketball.”

When Thurman’s boyfriend left Kent, their relationship went under stress because they lived together when he was in school.

“We were able to talk on Skype and through webcam.”

The couple called it quits at the beginning of June because things were not getting any better, Thurman said. Infidelity, trust issues and gossip caused problems in their relationship.

“If he would have stayed, we wouldn’t have had any problems, he would have been there and neither of us would have went elsewhere,” Thurman said.

Now, Thurman is in a new long-distance relationship and she said she believes this will work out.

“The relationship has to start of how you want it to end, if the couple is not truthful from the beginning, it will not work out,” she said.

Some find means to keep their long-distance relationship from facing conflict.

Shavae Wright, junior health studies major who is also on Kent State’s track team, met her boyfriend through track and field in high school.

“We have known each other for about three years but have been talking for a year,” Wright said. “Our relationship has been official since February, and everything is going well.”

Wright’s boyfriend plays football and runs track in Wisconsin; she attends his games quite often, which gives her an opportunity to see him.

“We will have track meets together so we will be able to see each other then as well,” Wright said.

Both Wright and Thurman said they think communication is important to keep a long-distance relationship alive; when communication is open, there will not be a risk for cheating.

“If I felt that it would ever come to that point, I would break it off,” Thurman said. “I told him if he gets to the point where he feels he may be confronted with cheating, let me know so that we do not ruin our relationship or potential friendship.”

Contact student life reporter Kayleigh Evans at [email protected].