Dating is difficult enough, so trying to maintain a long distance relationship can be that much harder. Whether it's a new job, college, military service, or just opportunities that are keeping you apart, keep reading for great tips on how to maintain and sustain long distance dating, engagement or marriage.



Communicate Often

Communication is key. Developing an emotional closeness can be hard work, especially over hundreds or thousands of miles. So, try to stay in touch as much as possible and in as many ways possible. Today, we can text message, instant message, email, write, or call from almost anywhere in the world. So, use those opportunities. Even if it's just a quick note to say "I miss you," those little moments of reaching out are what will hold the two of you together.

Send Gift Packages

Send anything you can in the mail. As wonderful as email and instant messaging is, there's something about that solid, real-life, physical reminder of the other person that can be important. So, try putting together a great care package for your dating partner. Throw in a mix CD, some photos, their favorite chocolates, a pair of clean socks, or a movie that you both love. It doesn't have to be filled with expensive things, just items that remind the two of you of each other.

Use Visual Messages

Seeing each other can be so important to maintaining a long-distance dating relationship. Even just a quick shot of you on the webcam or a picture of you going about your day-to-day chores can be really exciting for the partner that hasn't seen you in weeks or months. Humans are very visual creatures and those visual reminders are really important. There's also a certain reassurance that comes from seeing our loved one, and knowing for sure that they're okay.

Remember, long distance relationships are about sacrifice and it's going to be hard, so keep reading for more tips on how to maintain long-distance dating.

Because long-distance relationships are about more than delivered flowers and rushed love letters, you're both going to have to work to make the relationship work. Continuing in our series of tips on maintaining a long distance relationship, here are more tips.

Be Willing to Try Other Methods of Intimacy

As wonderful as care packages, emails, and mix CDs can be, we often need more. That drastic lack of physical interaction and intimacy can be a real hurdle for many separated couples.

To overcome this, a lot of long distance couples engage in phone sex, IM sex chat, or webcam sessions as a means of maintaining their sex lives. If you're uncomfortable with the idea, try setting the mood in your own space. For example, if you and your dating partner have set a phone sex date, dim the lights in your room, light a few candles, and actually put on something sexy. This strategy tends to work a lot better than calling while you're in the middle of cooking dinner.

Always Have a Date Planned

As a long distance couple, you should always have a reunion to look forward to. After a visit, set a date for your next visit right away. Even if it's months away, it will give both of you hope and something to look forward to.

That said, you should both have goals for a final settlement together. Long distance dating can't be maintained forever, so if neither of you is willing, eventually, to move closer to the other, then maybe it's time to reevaluate your relationship.