As many of you all may know, I recently became engaged shortly before I started medical school back in June. My fiancé and I have been together now for a little over three years, and we will be married in June of 2012. This semester has proven to be challenging, yet rewarding for a number of different reasons. This is the longest that we have ever had to be apart from one another. Many say that long distance relationships usually don’t work out. Some of our own friends even said this. I have learned over the past six months that I can see why one would say this. Let’s face it, a long distance relationship has proven to be difficult, and I can see why many fail in this area. My fiancé and I faced many of the same challenges that anyone would go through in a long distance relationship. The only difference is that we chose to handle them a little differently. Not only did this time make our relationship even stronger, but it has made us both stronger individually.
Simple things that I used to take for granted while we were still physically together started to surface after I moved. I realized that I spent so much of my time with her, that I forgot what it felt like to not be around her. This took some getting used to. When I was down or struggling with school or any other type of issue, I remember her being only a phone call away, and she would be at my apartment in ten minutes. That doesn’t work too well when we are apart. Sometimes I really just want to be held while I run my mouth about my problems, just like she wants the same.
I have, fortunately, been able to see her once this semester during our fall break. It was quite refreshing, and I realized how much I could sometimes take the time that we spent together for granted. I also got a snapshot of what being a married medical student is going to be like. While I was with her, my study schedule was very strict, not because of my own diligence, but because she knows how to crack a whip. I guess I can’t complain!!!!
One of the biggest stresses of this experience has also been planning a wedding. As a man, this is not an area of expertise nor is it an area of extreme interest; but I have learned to put up a pretty good front!!! To date, we have changed the location of the wedding three times, deposited and removed deposits from four different reception venues, and we are on our third wedding planner. On top of this, I am studying biochemistry, PPM, and gross anatomy at the same time. Don’t get me wrong, Brittany is no bridezilla, but the woman knows what she wants (or does she?????). Either way, I look at all of these things as a way of building character for the both of us and I cannot wait until June, because the wedding and first year of med school will be over!!!! Oh, and because I am getting married too. JJJ
-Student Dr. Stephens
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