Long distance has been a way of life for Heather Hwalek and Taylor Washburn, who have spent more days apart than together, since meeting a decade ago at Yale. “I don’t think I’ve ever connected with anyone like Taylor,” said Ms. Hwalek, 34, a program officer at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in Seattle. “Both of us are somewhat career-driven and very independent.”That is somewhat of an understatement from Ms. Hwalek, who has lived and worked in four countries — the United States, South Africa, China and Japan — since her relationship began in March 2011 with Mr. Washburn, 39, a shareholder at the Seattle law firm Lane Powell. Along the way they broke up four times. “I never wanted to break up with her because I knew I would never find anyone else like her,” said Mr. Washburn, who was taken by Ms. Hwalek the moment he met her on the Yale campus, where she was studying for a master’s degree in international relations.

Source: International New York Times March 26, 2021 09:00 UTC