People say being in a long distance relationship is hard and that sometimes it’s not worth it.
True, being in a long distance relationship is hard for reasons you might not even believe, but I would never say it’s not worth it.
I have been in a LDR on and off (in the sense that we have been together during school and spent summers apart.
Not in the sense that we’ve broken up and gotten back together) for about one and a half years. It has made me have a whole new appreciation for those in the same boat as me.But it does get easier and there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Being in an LDR doesn’t mean you can’t go on dates or have cherished moments together. Here are some ways to spice up your LDR.
Go on a long distance movie date. Just because you aren’t in the same city doesn’t mean you can’t see the same movie. Find a movie that’s playing at theaters near the two of you and pick a showing that’s playing close to the same time. Afterwards, call and discuss. It’s a great way to spend time together when you aren’t actually together.
Another idea is to download one of the plethora of apps available. There are a lot of great apps out there that allow you to connect with your significant other. Couple is a free app available through both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. The app allows you to send pictures, videos, text and voice memos, but that’s not all. It also allows you to send the location of where you are, draw pictures and do what the makers refer to as a thumb kiss, where you and your partner touch thumb prints on the screen.
It’s a great way to share what you are doing with your partner all within an app.Don’t forget to download the video messenger of your choice (i.e. Skype or FaceTime). It allows you to see your significant other and feel a more personal connection than a phone conversation. These video apps are also great because of the endless things you could do on them. Go get coffee together, have a homemade meal, watch TV—the possibilities are endless.
Having a TV show to watch is another great idea. Set aside the time the show is on each week and talk to each other while it is on. It’s a great way to stay connected through the mutual things you love.
Along those same lines, start reading a book together. Choose however many pages to read in one day and stick to it. Later, have fun discussing the characters and plot lines you love and despise.
And let’s not forget about the postal service. Sending a handwritten note will never be frowned upon. Make a pact to write to each other. There are also plenty of things you can send through the mail to let your loved one know you are thinking about them. Order something off Amazon and have it shipped to their place. There are also a lot of businesses that will send flowers, arrangements—what have you—long distances. Edible Arrangements and 1-800-FLOWERS are just a few to get you started.
What’s even greater than a virtual date? A real one. Some of you might be lucky enough to meet up halfway. If that’s possible, pick a spot the two of you would love to visit and plan to meet there once a month (or whenever you may choose) for a small weekend getaway. It will make the big blocks of time spent apart that much easier plus you get a little mini vacation out of it.
Being in an LDR can be rough, but it can also have its benefits. Try not to dwell on the hard times because it will get better. Until then, have fun with some of these ideas.
(Feature Photo via Tumblr)