Creative Crafty #2: Teddy Bear Care

Relationships are hard. It's a simple fact. That being said long distance relationships are even harder. There is something to be said about the time a couple gets to spend together and the stress that releases. Not even speaking in terms of the dirty sense but just physical contact with somebody who you connect with on a higher level. I have seen articles stating that a hug from someone everyday helps reduce stress. I completely agree with this statement.

Between my traveling and moving I have friends that live all over the country...Aaaannnddd as I am sure you have deduced, I myself am in a long distance relationship. My boyfriend and I met in the UP of Michigan last March at a snowmobile/engineering competition. We were both interested in each other but were not clear about that. So we both left the week long competition heading separate ways with numbers but without even the thought of a relationship in our heads. Fortunately, I had made friends with his whole team and left with a few good friends. So from March to December of last year, I kept in touch with a few of the guys on the team who were friends of my now boyfriend regularly. We did speak occasionally throughout the year though and in December of last year, one night late we were both cramming for final projects and finals and reconnected on Facebook.

Who knew that this would be what would seal our fate. The Facebook chatting progressed to texting and on New Years at my Mid night ( I live in MA and he lives an hour behind in WI) I received an actual phone call. It was probably one of the sweetest and most romantic things anyone has ever done looking back. As you can imagine the phone calls became more and more.

Understanding how difficult long distance relationships are I tried for so long trying to convince myself that I wasn't falling for him. Funny enough sometimes love trumps all. So now here we are, what feels like a million miles from each other. Every day I miss his face, holding his hand and his big arms wrapped around me. We see each other every month even though it is expensive its extremely important for us to be able to have that face time.

I won't lie the time spent apart is difficult. I can be difficult and boys will be boys, but my cousin recently offered up some of the best advice: "When dealing with a relationship, long distance or not, you have to check your pride at the door." It seems so simple but when female hormones are involved it makes it tricky. I get frustrated with the distance and act irrational sometimes. But at the end of the day I can't sleep without hearing his voice. He is the most amazing guy and I love him very much.


Teddy Bear Care:

That being said, in a way to cope with the fact that we can't see and hold each other I decided to make teddy bears for the both of us. I found a great tutorial at a cute website called How Joyful. They also have a free downloadable pattern there. The pattern and tutorial was easy to follow and I loved the way each bear turned out with their own personality. The bear on the left is my boyfriends and the bear on the right is mine. It's the perfect size to cuddle with. Also before I sent him his bear I covered it in my perfume so it would smell like me when he finally received the package.

Like the tutorial said this project isn't for beginner crafters. Also depending on the fabric you choose as well as the stuffing the basic structure will vary slightly. I surely recommend this project for others to try. I love it!!!