Part III: Keeping the Long-Distance Flame Burning

For the past couple of weeks or so, we at Wetravel have been discussing long-distance relationships: the difficulties of it all and how you can overcome them to make your long-distance love last. This week, we're continuing the series with ways to keep the flame of your long-distance flame burning. Maintaining some spice and excitement can be challenging in any relationship, but this can be especially difficult when you and your partner aren't always together. While you can't always plan an impromptu adventure with your significant other when you're in a long-distance relationship, there are still many different ways to spice up your relationship and to keep your long-distance love burning.

Send a postcard from the city you’re currently living.

While most people see snail mail as outdated and rely heavily on mobile or email modes of communication, sending a postcard is a thoughtful and pleasant surprise for your partner. It shows them that you care and that you're thinking about them, even when you're miles apart from one another.

Create a photo calendar.

You can use services like Vistaprint or Shutterfly to create a personalized photo calendar of the two of you. Or for those of you who want to save a couple bucks, try making a simple one through Microsoft Office by adding photos straight from your laptop.

Make a playlist.

Back then, it was all about burning cds and creating a mixtape. But now, you can share your playlists and follow your significant other on Spotify, SoundCloud, or Pandora. Rename the beginning of the playlists that you create to “Listen to this when..” with an accompanying phrase (Ex: "Listen to this when you're feeling blue" or "Listen to this when you're happy as a clam").

https://play.spotify.com/user/spotify_uk_/playlist/72YVh73uNsjM5JP8vbHuQt

Plan a Skype date night.

You won't have to travel very far for this one. Schedule a weekly virtual date. Plan to have dinner prepared by the time of the call and enjoy a nice date with your partner. Perhaps, you might even watch a movie together by sharing a Netflix account and playing the film at the same time.

Roleplay as a tour guide and tourist.

Plan a specialized itinerary for your partner when they come to visit you. If it’s the beginning of your time apart and they pay you a visit, take them to the tourist hotspots of the city where you just moved to, so you can explore them together! If it’s been awhile and you’ve already hit up all of those places, start taking them to the places that you often visit. For example, drive to a beach if you live near one and spend some quality time together. Who knows? You might even share a romantic moment together during sunset!

Some people might say that it's difficult to keep the flame of a long-distance relationship burning, but we at Wetravel beg to disagree. Sure, long-distance relationships can be challenging, but we also think that they have their positives. While you may not get to spend as much time with your partner as you both would like, the time that you do spend together is cherished and precious. This means that you both probably go out of your way to make the time that you do have together worthwhile and special. We at Wetravel hope that this series has inspired you and your partner to recognize and appreciate all that you do for each other and the strength of your long-distance relationship. Your long-distance relationship may have its ups and downs, but remember that spending time with someone you love is worth all of the obstacles that you face and that distance can make the heart grow fonder!