Photo courtesy of Liz Kameen.

We’ve all been there before; long-distance sucks. 

All you want to do is see your significant other, but something prevents this from happening, whether it be the distance, transportation, finances, or other variables. 

Effective communication is an essential part of maintaining a healthy relationship, so frequent calls, FaceTime, and text messages can partially bridge this gap. 

If your schedules are very intense, like in my relationship, it might be best to organize a time to call and connect with your partner or even set a concrete schedule. 

My boyfriend and I have a casual rule where we have to see each other at least every three weeks, but sometimes, life gets in the way, and it turns into a month and a half or more.

But there are a few things you can do to combat this unfortunate distance. Believe me, my boyfriend and I have extensive telecommunication experience, whether during the COVID-19 pandemic or our time at school.

A couple of streaming platforms have introduced long-distance streaming, where you can watch a movie with someone over a video call, allowing you to react to and discuss the movie as if you were watching it in person. 

My boyfriend and I used to personally use Rabbit, which was completely free, but unfortunately, that platform was shut down a few years ago. Well + Good compiled a list of applications that currently offer this service, while Netflix and Disney have also phased long-distance dual streaming into their platforms. 

If you’re not in the mood to watch a movie, no worries; there’s plenty else to do over the phone! 

My boyfriend and I often switch up well-known games with new rules in order to entertain ourselves. I recommend a card game called Super Fight, which is basically a funny debate game that puts a “buff” on your card, like making a mime nine stories tall fight Ironman with a flamethrower. 

Although meant for in-person gameplay, I level the playing field by picking two completely random cards so the debate is more about creativity and thinking outside the box than strategy. It’s a super fun way to play, especially if you pull the good cards and you’re fighting against a tiny puppy that can only become invisible when holding its breath. 

If card games aren’t your thing, there are a ton of dual-player games that can help erase the gap long-distance creates. I personally love playing Minecraft with my boyfriend, even if I have to remind him how to do everything. There are all sorts of games to do this with, like PUBG, Words with Friends, or Pictionary. 

Virtual dates are also a great idea, whether they’re completely online or you both just dress up and share a meal over FaceTime. 

It may seem small, but these dates can help bridge a gap that otherwise requires two+ hours of commuting. Science of People compiles an amazing list of online date ideas that could entertain a couple for years, ranging from online tours of museums to a Mad Libs night. 

One benefit of long distance is the ability to send surprise items in the mail. I personally have been graced with a Send a Friend stuffed animal, which made my entire week. My boyfriend has also mailed me letters and even flowers, so there’s no excuse not to. 

As always, thanks for reading the column! If you have any questions or comments, feel free to contact me through email at [email protected], in the comments, or fill out this Google Form.