As travel restrictions are becoming looser, there are still questions about whether students will see family members and friends during the holidays or if they will have to rely on other means to connect.
Madi Gemmell, an alumna from Arizona who studied psychology, explained how COVID-19 affected her decision making with her fiancé - now husband - Tyrell Gemmell during the holidays. “I am back with my family here in Arizona, and we will be seeing them for the holidays. There is a chance my fiancé and I will go to California to see family there as well. We will drive as it helps us ensure we are doing our best to protect ourselves from the virus by being in our car.”
Gemmell explained how her previous holiday plans had to be canceled because of the more strict conditions concerning international travel, “Our plan was actually to go to New Zealand to spend Christmas with my fiancé’s family; however, due to COVID and the required two-week quarantine in New Zealand, we can’t get our visa and get there soon enough.”
Becca Burge, a sophomore from Oregon studying biomedical science, related to not being able to see family due to COVID. “I am planning on going home for Christmas. Not for Thanksgiving unfortunately again this year. My grandma was going to fly to me this year for Thanksgiving but decided not to given COVID and all the restrictions Hawaii still has.”
Burge said she is close with her family and speaks with them on a daily basis on the phone in order to maintain a connection, and shared how she intends to something special for the holidays. “I have been sending postcards just so people have something fun to get in the mail, and I’ll be making handmade gifts from Hawaii for my family so they feel connected to me during the holidays.”
Emma Eddington, a sophomore from Oregon studying psychology, said she considers herself lucky because she will be able to travel between her hometown and Laie during the holidays as long as she takes a COVID-19 test.
“I’m excited to be able to connect with my family and friends anytime I want to once COVID ends. Right now, it’s hard to justify traveling unless it’s a special occasion since pre-travel testing can be expensive. I’d love to be able to fly home whenever I want, but COVID complicates that. I look forward to the time after COVID ends when there are no traveling implications or requirements.” Eddington said.
Before their marriage, Gemmell was separated from her husband for several months due to the pandemic, and she shared her advice on how to maintain connection and a healthy relationship despite physical distance. The two would pray and read their scriptures together each night and see each other before he went to work via FaceTime.
“It was hard having the restrictions, which caused our flights to be canceled to see each other this year, but I am thankful for the technology that still allowed our relationship to flourish in the meantime.”
When distance seems to weigh over one’s relationship and one might start to feel discouraged, Gemmell advised how consistency is key. “I know every relationship is so different and complex. What I learned the most was even when it feels like your relationship is stagnant because of the lack of physical connection, it still has the capability to move if you allow it to.
“For us, that was consistency. We built up consistent habits, such as being sure to talk each morning and night, involving scripture study and praying, and this helped us to move into the next phase of our lives. By doing this, we were able to learn sacrifice and hard work to make time for the other person.”
Not only can consistency help maintain a connection, but Gemmell explained how these habits can help relationships grow, “We were also able to grow spiritually. Along with that, there will be times when it feels hopeless and like all efforts aren’t working. To that, I say to remember the promise in the Book of Mormon that there is opposition in all things. Remember that the most difficult situation in your life could perhaps be your greatest blessing on the way. Stay hopeful.”