It’s so easy to tell our friends or loved ones that “we’re so happy for them,” even if it’s over something that is a little harder to swallow. When my boyfriend, Mike, told me that he had chosen to go to grad school in Michigan, my first response was just that. It would be wrong to say I wasn’t happy for him. He has been working so hard for so long and to finally be recognized at a world-renowned institution is rad. But as the reality of him moving 750+ miles away sunk in, I felt a little selfish and I wondered if our relationship would survive the distance. And although school just started and he has only been away since July, I feel closer to him than I ever have. I’ve come up with a list of several techniques that Mike and I have used, as well as some of my friends’ own suggestions.
1. Apps such as Couple
Mike and I used this app when he was still going to undergrad in CT and I was in RI. It’s basically a messaging app with a few more added features that make communication fun. The app provides a more personal messaging feature, matching you and your partner by email address, and having your profiles only viewable to each other. Some other fun features include thumb kisses, and stickers (which are similar to Facebook stickers, but maybe just a little cuter). The two of you can create calendar events, make lists together, share pictures and add filters instantly, as well as sketch pictures and send them to each other.
2. Care Packages
Before I returned to URI for the semester, I wanted to make Mike a package of things he could enjoy, as well as things he needed, and to top it off- It was close enough to his birthday. There are lots of cute ideas on Pinterest for how to decorate a box. Inside the box I included his favorite snacks, a stuffed Pokémon, shampoo, condition, Pepto, Chapstick, and lots of chocolate. I felt really good about doing it because I knew how happy he would be to receive it.
3. Dates
Have a Skype date with your partner! But spice things up and go out to dinner/make a nice dinner and have them do the same! It will bring back that intimate feeling of being together even when they are miles away.
4. Send lots of selfies!
Something that I miss a lot being so far away from Mike is the fact that I just don’t see him too often, so whenever he snaps me a picture I’m always like * insert heart-eyes emoji *
5. Play a game together
I recently got into video games. I definitely feel like I was on the late side of the curve because I’m 20 and I bought a 3DS for my birthday. We both really enjoy playing Pokemon, and The Elder Scrolls games, which gives us a lot to talk about! Another game we both really enjoy is called “Taiko.” It’s a rhythm tapping game, you can download for free on your computer on https://osu.ppy.sh/ and you’ll be able to see each other level up and you can watch replays of them playing.
6. Google Screen Share
Google offers a screen share functionality through Google Hangouts, which means you can take Netflix and Chill to a whole new level (basically minus the Chill).
Never give up on long distance relationships, as a member of the “LDR community,” I can only say that distance definitely does make the heart grow fonder. Make sure there is a lot of trust between the two of you and that communication is always open, and you’ll be sure to make things work. Best of luck!