To understand the role of intimacy (or rather the lack of it) in a long distance relationship, where intimacy here refers to physical intimacy, it is important to first explore the reasons as to why people get in love relationships in the first place.
Put the question as to why people hooked up with the significant others they are going out with at any time – and you will get a variety of answers – all being smokescreens for the real reason: the need for physical intimacy.
There is no need to feel ashamed about it. It is all in our genes. One of the major reasons we get into love relationships is for physical intimacy, or rather to gain access to a satisfactory and legitimate sex partner.
Unfortunately, while partners in long distance relationships can make up for the other facets of the relationships in various ways, the physical intimacy facet is one thing they can fully make up for. People need to get together if they are to physically consummate their relationship. Period.
And as it turns out, it is the question of physical intimacy that often proves to be the ultimate test for most long distance relationships, as the partners grapple with the temptations to go out with other people closer to where they are, if only for physical satisfaction.
And for this reason, the success of a long distance relationship might ultimately lie in coming to the realization that sex is not the most basic need for a human being, and that one can do without sex (and not fall sick) as they await for their loved one to come back. The hormones, of course, might try to persuade you otherwise, but ignore them – as they don’t always have your best interests at ‘heart.’
