I don't worry about the cost of long-distance phone calls, knowing that, even when my bank book pinches, they are worth it. A friend of mine here is engaged to be married to his girlfriend back in North America. Two hours, every single night. It doesn't matter if he has work to do or there's a party going on or people are going out to a movie. He'll meet us afterwards, if necessary.
Nothing takes precedence over that talk.
That friend's relationship has lasted long after many equally serious long-distance relationships here have broken off. Sometimes it's incredibly difficult to haul myself out of bed on Sunday mornings to make the 10 a.m. church service. Many university students have the same problem. When I do have some free time, I'd rather spend it out with my friends or playing soccer than in church. It's hard to provide a convincing answer, even to myself, when people ask why we should go to church.