Hi, I'm Willow Belden and you're listening to Out There, the podcast that explores big questions through intimate stories outdoors.

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And now on to our story for today.

This episode is about love and compromise.

We hear it again and again that relationships require compromise.

And that's certainly true.

But there are also times when it's important to stand your ground.

So where do you draw the line?

How much compromise is too much?

Today's episode takes us on a cross-country road trip and shows us just how hard it can be to stand up for yourself when you care deeply about another person.

Danny Harris has the story, and I should note that this piece contains some adult subject matter.

So if you're listening with kids, this might be an episode to say for later.

The winter after I graduated from college, my boyfriend and I spent many evenings snuggled together

in my studio apartment talking about the future. He was still in school,

several hours away, and long distance was really tough. Each time he had to head back to school,

I was overwhelmed with what felt like grief, but I loved him so much that it seemed worth it.

And it wouldn't be that long until he'd be done with

college and we could see each other every day. As his graduation began to creep closer,

...