Long-distance relationships are full of hardships, and sometimes Valentine’s Day is one of them. What are you supposed to do if you can’t see your significant other for one of the most romantic days of the year? Fortunately for you (and myself), there are tons of ways to stay connected over the holiday weekend without actually being together.
Even though you and your S.O. may not be able to see each other for the holiday (although these date ideas can really be used at any time), it’s important to remember to stay positive because we live in a time when technology allows us to stay in contact instantaneously with our loved ones.
1. Skype dinner date
Just because you can’t go out to dinner together doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a meal with your S.O. If possible, get food from the same place (or at least the same kind of food), and treat your Skype call as a dinner date.
I’ve done this a few times with my boyfriend—we’re partial to Panda Express—and we love it. It’s super easy to do, and you can have this date on any random night, not just Valentine’s Day.
2. Watch a movie/TV show together
Technology is amazing, and video-streaming services like Netflix and Hulu are no exception. Pick out a movie or start watching a TV show with your SO, and video chat with each other to talk about what you’re watching.
3. Send each other care packages
Who doesn’t love getting mail, especially when it’s from someone you love? If you plan it correctly, you can even open your care packages and presents for each other while on the phone or over Skype.
4. Keep a journal together
My boyfriend and I have done something similar to this. I found a two-person journal at a local boutique, and decided to buy it on a whim. There were tons of cute prompts for two people to do—from how you met to your “team” mascot—and it was always fun to pull out the journal and work on a few pages while we were Skyping.
You can start your new journal on Valentine’s Day and make it a nice tradition, too. It’s all up to you.
5. Game night
Whether it be videogames or a board game, a little competition never killed nobody. My boyfriend and I love to play videogames together while we video chat. It’s a great way to de-stress from a week of classes, work and meetings, and who doesn’t love to procrastinate (we always say we’re going to do homework, but that rarely happens).
Finding your favorite board games to play over Skype is super fun and a great way to bond and leave you wanting to play more games once you’re together again.
Photos from Pinterest and Giphy.