The difficulties of long distance relationships are a struggle that many college students know all too well. In a generation known for its technological savvy, many online date-night ideas have been gaining popularity on platforms like Tiktok and Instagram. Whether your significant other is living across the country, or a couple of hours away, these are the best virtual dates sure to make you feel more connected while apart.
Ranking in at third place is the “FaceTime sleepover.” While college couples not in long distance relationships get to enjoy the occasional or frequent sleepover, allowing them to start their mornings waking up next to their partner, those in long distance relationships must instead stick to “good night” and “good morning” text messages. The FaceTime sleepover, though not an equal substitute, is the closest us couples in long distance relationships can get to the real thing. While testing this idea, my boyfriend and I muted our FaceTime calls so that the other’s alarm would not wake up the wrong person in the morning, said our good nights, and fell asleep on the phone. Upon waking up, my phone was fairly overheated from the eight hour call, but the both of us nonetheless felt not as far apart.Â
My second place pick for virtual date ideas is the Netflix Watch Party movie night. After installing Netflix Watch Party, you and your significant other can choose a show to stream at the same time while simultaneously messaging each other as you watch. If you are as talkative a couple as my boyfriend and I, watching the show while messaging back and forth can be slightly distracting. However, talking and watching on Netflix Watch Party was a nice break from standard texting, and being able to book-club a movie together was super fun.
Finally, my favorite virtual date idea was an online dinner date, where each person orders a surprise meal on UberEats for the other, and then convenes on FaceTime to eat dinner together. Not only is this a great way to try new foods that you might not usually go for, but it also is very comforting to receive something tangible that you know was sent to you by your partner. This idea is a way to treat each other from afar, and is in my opinion, the next best thing to an in-person date. Overall, although long distance relationships can be hard to manage, these online date ideas will hopefully help to close the gap.