My boyfriend left for college today. Please help.

My boyfriend officially left for college. It was probably the most heart breaking experience I've had, and this is counting my father deploying for a year at a time, and my brother leaving for college and not talking to us very often. It hurts so much knowing he is gone. I've cried so many times. We made it to our hotel. I cried at 11PM until 1230 AM. He just hugged me close, and kept apologizing. He then wished he could make this easier for me. And pleaded for me to stop crying but I just couldn't. I cried until I fell asleep with him holding me close.

I woke up around 5 and I woke him up too. We just cuddled with each other, me being on top of him and hugging him. While I hugged him I felt his cheek was wet, so I hugged him closer. In the four years I have been dating him, he has never cried, until now. (He had a Traumatic past) At 8 AM, he started to sob, then cry. I couldn't do anything because I was just as sad as he was, so I just hugged him close.

When dropping him off at college, that last hug KILLED me. I couldn't stop crying. I basically cried the entire 17 hour trip. It hurt so much saying good bye.

If anyone could give he insight on a long distance relationship, please comment. Give me tips, advice, your success stories, anything. My mom kept saying our relationship wasn't going to last and I'm scared to believe her. Please help.