OK so if you end up taking the 8 mile route normally, that's bordering on a long commute in my view. Some commute much more than that, but they are pretty exceptional. If it is difficult at first, it will become easy over time. I commute 6.5 miles each way, and I love my commute. I don't own a car, and I'm in the middle of NYC, so the alternate mode for me is the subway. I like my ride so much nowadays that I prefer it to the subway even when the weather is bad. I'm willing to get cold or wet. There's a bumper sticker saying a bad day fishing is better than a bad day at work. Similarly, a bad ride into work is better than a day without riding at all. And it's great for my health.

For some reason, I thought the lights on your bike were modern. So I would recommend you seriously consider getting new Bush & Müller lights, or at least one of their headlights. I have a few different bikes, but I generally pick the one with the dynamo lights because they work so well and reliably. I leave them on, so they come on when the bike rolls.