Long Distance Relationship Tips

Dating long distance can be very tough for both of you. Here are a collection of tips to help you keep the spark and romance alive over all those miles.

Phone Calls: Phone calls are often the most used point of contact between two people in a long distance relationship. Be careful not to abuse the privledge. Set a phone call length before you dial the phone. And stick to it! Don't waste your precious dollars on long distance charges when you could be saving them to travel to see each other in person!

Letters: Handwriting a letter to your loved one is so much warmer than email. Think of the excitement your loved one will feel when they find your letter in their mailbox. They can hold in their hand something you put effort and energy into. Write with your heart. Share your day and your feelings. Write about your co-workers, your drive home from work, what you are making for dinner - anything so your significant other feels connected to your life. Spray a bit of your scent on to the letter so they can smell you while they are reading it.

Cards: Along the same lines as handwriting a letter to your loved one, if you are short on time to pen out a long letter, send a card! Whether it is a holiday or not, you can find a card to suit. Or better yet make one! Take a stiff piece of paper and decorate the front. Or add a photo of yourself. You know they can't get enough of your gorgeous face - especially since you are so far away.

Emails: Emails have their place too. As romantic as it is to receive a handwritten letter, an email is a quick way to let your loved one know you are thinking of them.

Instant Messenger: If you both have a computer and the internet at home, sign up with a free instant messenger program like MSN, or ICQ, so you can instantly type messages to each other when you are both online. These are quicker than even email, you can hold an conversation with each other, and it is way cheaper than a phone call! If you both have a microphone, you may be able to chat using your microphone instead of typing!

Photographs: Invest in a digital camera and take photos to share with your loved one. Attach a new photo to each email you send. If you can't afford a digital camera, that is okay too - purchase a disposable camera and after you have the photos developed, insert them into your cards and letters. Take photographs of yourself and your surroundings. Make your loved one feel that they are part of your life even if they can't be physically. Do you wish you could walk through that park together? Take a photograph and tell them all about it.

Videos: Borrow a video camera from a friend and make a video for your loved one. You know how much they need to hear your voice and see your face - surprise them and send a video! The video can just be of your daily events, or maybe just you talking into the camera, sharing your thoughts and feelings. If you can't find a video camera to borrow, even a cassette tape will work. That will allow your loved one to hear your voice on demand. What a special treat!

Care Packages: Once in awhile you should put together a package for your loved one! Fill it with whatever you like! Small gifts, cards, photos, candy, chocolates - anything that will give them a little thrill and a little taste of you all at the same time.

Music: Buy or burn a CD of your favorite songs to share with your loved one. Let them experience the music you are listening to so they can feel more a part of your life.

Schedule Visits: Be willing to meet half way! Even if you each have to fly to a city mid-way. Be flexible. Your relationship can't survive forever without physically seeing each other. Don't let one person do all the travelling or they may begin to resent all the effort they are placing into the relationship.

Make Time: It is important that you make the time for each other. Even though you are in a different city, and you may have a new group of friends and new things to do, don't let your loved one slip to the bottom of your priority list.

Relax and Trust: You need to relax and trust your loved one. You can't be always worried that they are cheating on you. Don't assume the worst. You both need to have your own circle of friends in your own cities. Paranoia and accusations are not going to win over your loved one. If you can't relax, then maybe you just aren't ready for (a long distance relationship.

Good luck. If you really love and care about each other, and you are willing to both put in the required effort, you can make this work!