America, it’s time to introduce you to a new segment here at The Confusing Middle: the Question of the Week! I know, I’m just as excited as you are! The idea is that I present you, the reader, with a thought-provoking question each week that you can feel free to answer in the comments below. Of course, I wouldn’t expect you to do something that I’m not prepared to do myself. So you’ll get a chance to see my answers each week as well. Not to scare you away, but it will give you a chance to see how my mind works a little bit. And so, without further gilding the lily, I give you the first Question of the Week…

For a person you loved deeply, would you be willing to move to a distant country knowing there would be little chance of seeing your friends or family again?

I suppose it’s fitting that I’m posing this question on Valentine’s Day. And it’s a little funny because I was just talking about this very subject with a friend yesterday. For me, it would seriously depend on what stage the relationship was in. If it was for my wife, it would be difficult, but yes, I would follow her to another place if she needed to be elsewhere. I’d probably make that same decision in regards to an engagement, as well. If we’ve only been dating for a few months, however, I’d probably end the relationship and attempt to part on the best possible terms. See, my philosophy is that, in general, one shouldn’t follow a person to the ends of the earth if one isn’t certain that it’s a relationship that will withstand such a transplant. Relationships are difficult enough with the average, every day stresses that life brings. When one expects another to give up possibly seeing family and friends, I imagine that would add even more stress. And then, what if the relationship doesn’t pan out the way you hope? A marriage would be the solid thing, which is why I said I’d go if it was my wife that had to leave the country. But, again, if we’re only together for a few months, there are still a lot of things that are up in the air. I’d hate to follow my girlfriend to Svenborgia, and then have us mutually decide that the relationship won’t work. Then I’m stuck in Svenborgia and the only person I know is my ex. That would work fine if life was a sitcom, but this isn’t How I Met Your Mother.

What would you do? Would you follow your significant other to another country, no matter the stage of relationship you both find yourselves in? Or would you kiss him/her good-bye and say, “Have fun studying the penguins in Antarctica!”? Let me know in the comments! And come back next week for a new question.