I've had my girl for over 5 years. After almost 4 years she got sent to prison, serving a 4 year bid. She's down south, just north of San Diego, and I'm in the Bay, but we're still together. She got knocked down to 35% serving time so she gets out in about 54 days, but she's been in there for a year and 8 months. It's been one of the hardest 2 1/2 years of my life (before prison, she was in county, then she got out on OR, tried and convicted almost a year after that). So, long distance can work out, you just have to be willing to make it work, you have to be willing to sacrifice some things. Your girl is still available to you any time you want to see her. The state of California tells me when I can and can't see my girl, and she's not only a flight or 7 hour drive away, she's behind walls and shit too, lol. Can't have sex with her, can't sleep with her, can only kiss and hug her twice when I see her (when you get there and when you leave). It's going to be a bitch because we have to start all over when she gets back.
Yes, long distance relationships can work, if you're devoted to that person.