Okay, I didn't read this entire thread, just the first 5-8 posts [not keeping count] but let me try and share some of my experience with you.
My last real relationship was long distance, and it was actually great. Albeit her n I talked every single day and she was actually from here, meaning I knew her prior to the relationship, she had just moved across the country due to cancer and the best treatment being there [her father was loaded and wanted the best, it worked out in the end, thank God]
anyway, that's not the point, my point is, even though we talked practically every day, sent gifts, pictures, pillow cases, articles of clothing and so on whenever we had the chance, in the long run it didn't work out. I'm not saying it can't, because we lasted over a year, but it takes so much work and honestly, on my behalf, it was hard to do. Sometimes a guy's just not willing to put up the effort anymore, they see it as some sort of lost cause or something. I truly hope that's not the case for you, because I know the heartbreak can be unbearable at times.
I'd suggest what a few others here have said, just try and talk it over, and if he can't do that, he's probably not your best choice. You need somebody who can listen to you, somebody you can listen to, too, without making up excuses. If you truly want to work you need to trust eachother in the deepest of ways. You need to be able to confide in one another no matter how difficult the subject matter may be, even if you both are brought to tears, it's the best thing you can do.
But honestly, you may be better off finding somebody closer to home, or at least somebody willing to put up more effort. These things are hard, and when it's long distance it's made even more difficult. That doesn't mean it's impossible, though, it just means that it's going to take a hell of a lot more work from both parties, and you seem to be actually trying from what you've said, and the fact that you cared enough to go onto the internet and ask abunch of random people advice. That takes some courage to do, quite frankly.
Love and relationships are more difficult than some people think, and many, many guys don't even know the first thing about them. Myself, I was blessed [sometimes i'd call it cursed] with a soft heart and a romantic mindset. I'm one of the most quixotic people you could ever meet, even if most people may not realize it at face value, get me alone long enough and I can go on for hours about this sorta thing, giving a passionate argument. But other guys just aren't the same way. Maybe they can change, but maybe they don't want to, either.
Just try your hardest to have a calm, civil conversation about the whole ordeal, and if he can't even manage that then the issue may be too much. I know you don't want to give it up, nobody ever does. It's a pain inside that'll rip through the very fabric of time [cake for whoever gets that reference without googling] but sometimes it's a necessary evil and we just gotta face the facts and move on.
I really do know how badly that can hurt though, and I'm not saying that's what you should do, but it may be the best option in the long run. Then again, it may not. It'll be difficult, quite the struggle, but I know, at least from my experiences, that someday later on down the line you'll find someone else. I've already begun to move on to a more local girl who's been my bestfriend for years now, and we're doing great. And this is only barely less than a year after that last, long distance relationship finally came to a close, and that still hurts me to this day.
Just talk about it, really, as I've said and many others have, I'm sure.
But these things are NOT easy, I can't lie to you about that, it'll be hard, really hard, and I hope you two manage to work things out, and if not then I really wish you the best in future dabbles with the whole 'love' thing. It's not to be taken as lightly as many take it.
Good luck.
