If you find a person that you really click with, that sense of connection can be maintained even from a distance. This isn’t to say that a long-distance situation doesn’t have its challenges, but it’s saying that those challenges don’t have to be a deal breaker. You can still have a date night over long distance.
Many couples either meet virtually or have to go through a virtual phase because one or both of them are away at college, for work, on deployment, or for another reason such as safety or comfort.
While relating to other people virtually has its sticky points, there probably has never been a better time than the present to be in a long-distance romantic relationship. The COVID-19 pandemic went a long way to normalize virtual communication, and there are many tools available to connect virtually which are improving all the time.
Whether your platform of choice is Zoom, FaceTime, WhatsApp, or something else entirely, there are ways to remain connected, keep your relationship fresh, and spoil one another virtually.
Date night ideas worth trying out long distance
Each couple will have its own thing and settle into a rhythm. Some couples are into all things DIY, or all things fitness, while others lean into the creative side of things or food. You can use this list to help you do the things that brought you closer, or you can use it to try a few new things that will provide you with new experiences as a couple.
Cook dinner together
Making a meal can be a romantic and fun activity that you can do in person or virtually. Set up your camera and FaceTime as you prep, make your meal, and sit down together for dinner and a glass of wine. You can also attend a virtual cooking class together though this idea might work better when you know each other better because in many virtual classes, you won’t be able to interact till afterwards.
Watch a movie
You can do a video call and watch a movie together. Get your favorite snacks together, negotiate which movie you’re going to watch, and spend some time together. You can share your favorites or find new ones together. This idea will likely work best with couples that are better established and comfortable together.
Go on a park date
If you like the outdoors, you can pack a picnic and set up somewhere in your favorite park.
Work out at home
If you like to work out or are just trying to see what’s out there, you can try a fitness program together.
Put on a fashion show
This is a low-key way to have fun with each other by picking a few outfits to show off. These outfits can be things already in your closet, or you can buy each other something to show off on your date night.
Go on a walk or hike together
If you’re outdoorsy, you can take your date on the go and hike your favorite trail or take a walk through parts of your town or city. This is great as it also allows you to see and experience your partner’s physical location through their eyes.
Enjoy a carefully selected foodie care package
This one will require some planning to pull off and works best with items that can travel well. If you and your significant other enjoy food and like trying out new things, you can create a curated care package that includes your favorites as well as a few surprises for one another. Ship the packages to each other and enjoy your date together as you sample what you’ve sent and just hang out.
Wine and paint night
Grab some art supplies and a glass of your favorite wine and get ready for some artsy fun. You can either follow a tutorial online or give each other a prompt and see what happens.
Take the love languages test together.
This can help you get to know one another better and how you express and receive love.
Virtual wine tasting
You can sign up to receive some wines and then follow along on an online platform as an expert helps you understand the wines you’re trying out.
Use some conversation cards
There are plenty of decks of conversation cards available for couples online. Use these to dig deeper, have fun, and learn interesting tidbits about each other.
Share your favorite songs
Spotify has a feature called ‘group sessions’ that you can use to share your favorite songs as you’re listening to them. Alternatively, you can exchange prompts to share songs that remind you of each other, that describe your relationship, or that remind you of key moments in your relationship.
Plan a vacation together
Whether you’re planning to visit each other or go to another spot for a vacation, taking the time to plan a future outing can be a great bonding experience and gives you something to look forward to doing together.
Play games online
Whether you’re into tabletop games or video games, you can use a gaming system like a Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, or a tabletop simulator to play together from far apart.
There are many other date night ideas you can try, and these can help you connect, develop your communication, and know one another better. These and many other ideas are part of how a couples counselor in Redlands often helps a couple nurture intimacy and stronger bonds. If you’re finding it difficult to connect, you can look for ideas online or speak with a couples counselor at Redlands Christian Counseling who can help you set your relationship on a firm foundation.
“Lakeside Restaurant”, Courtesy of Albert, Unsplash.com, CC0 License; “Painting”, Courtesy of Daian Gan, Pexels.com, CC0 License; “Video Call”, Courtesy of RDNE Stock project, Pexels.com, CC0 License
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Jennifer Kooshian: Author
Jennifer Kooshian lives in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan with her husband of 32 years on a small homestead near Lake Superior. They have five adult children and one grandson. She also has an ever-changing number of chickens, a mellow old cat, and a...
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