My late husband and I had one of these in the late '70's -- my phone bill was as much as my rent some months! Me @ YXY, he in YEG. I got weary of being in a relationship, but basically alone most of the time. I moved to YEG once I finished school ~ married him a year later, he died in my arms 23 yrs later... so successful enough (except for that last part ).

I have an enjoy-each-other-when-we-can companion in CHC -- distance is daunting enough, I can't imagine trying it without IM, Phone cards, Skype and other modern communications (mod-cons ~ kiwi-ism!)

The only accepted axiom I know of for a LDR: eventually one or both parties will have to adjust (move, relocate) ~ or the relationship will stagnate.