I actually think you don't necessarily need to be in love to be in a long distance relationship. I think LDR depends not on love but on a specific mindset of the two people in it. I know people who were SO in love but then it ended because one or both of them were convinced LDR wouldn't work. If both people are open to LDR, and willing to give it a real try, it doesn't have to be serious deeply in love feelings, at least not to start with.

^^^ Again I agree with you. :P

But I think if serious feelings don't develop over time, it probably won't last long-term.

Any relationship has to be based on love from both sides