27 Meaningful Things to Do in a Long Distance Relationship
Being in a long-distance relationship can be challenging, but it doesn’t mean you can’t stay connected and close. Finding creative ways to keep the spark alive is essential, and there are plenty of fun and meaningful things to do in a long-distance relationship.
Whether it’s planning virtual dates, sending surprise gifts, or sharing future goals, staying engaged helps strengthen your bond, no matter the miles between you. Let’s explore some ideas that will bring you and your partner even closer, despite the distance.
Communication and Connection
1. Weekly Virtual Dinner Date
Set aside one evening a week for a virtual dinner date. Pick a recipe, cook the same meal (or order takeout), and eat together while video chatting on Zoom or FaceTime. Make it special by dressing up or setting a nice table with candles.
You can chat about your week, laugh over your cooking experiences, or simply enjoy each other’s company as if you were in the same room. This regular tradition helps maintain a sense of normalcy and connection, keeping the relationship fresh and exciting even when you’re far apart.
2. Good Morning and Good Night Texts
Staying in touch consistently is vital in a long-distance relationship. Start your day with a sweet “Good morning” text and end it with a thoughtful “Good night” message. These small gestures set a comforting routine, letting your partner know they are the first and last person on your mind each day.
You can also mix it up by sending a short voice note or a photo of your morning coffee or evening view, making the interaction more personal. Over time, this habit creates a strong emotional bond and helps both partners feel more connected daily.
3. Spontaneous Voice Notes
Surprise your partner with spontaneous voice notes during the day. When something reminds you of them or you just want to share a quick thought, record a voice message instead of sending a text. This makes the interaction feel more intimate and personal.
Whether it’s a funny story, something exciting that happened, or just a message saying, “I miss you,” hearing your voice adds warmth to the relationship. This simple gesture allows your partner to feel your presence even when you’re apart and strengthens the emotional connection between calls or texts.
4. Virtual Game Night
Inject some fun into your long-distance relationship by organizing a virtual game night. Choose multiplayer games like “Among Us,” “Mario Kart,” or “Jackbox Party Pack” that allow you to interact and compete in real-time. You can even invite mutual friends to join for a group game.
Set up a video call alongside the game to laugh and banter just like you would in person. These playful interactions lighten the mood, help relieve stress, and create shared memories despite the distance. It’s an exciting way to bond while introducing a bit of friendly competition.
Send Thoughtful Surprises
1. Care Package with Snacks and a Handwritten Letter
Send a care package filled with your partner’s favorite snacks, small gifts, and a handwritten letter. Include items that hold personal significance, like a book you’ve both talked about or a scented candle that reminds them of home.
Wrap everything with care and include little notes on each item to explain why you chose it. The handwritten letter adds a personal touch—pour your heart out, share your thoughts, and let them know how much they mean to you. Receiving a physical package from you will be a heartwarming surprise that makes the distance feel a little smaller.
2. Personalized Photo Frame
A personalized photo frame with a picture of the two of you is a simple yet meaningful gift. Choose a photo that holds a special memory, like a trip you took together or a moment when you both laughed uncontrollably.
You can even engrave the frame with a date or a short message, making it even more special. Mail it to your partner with a sweet note about why you chose that particular photo. Every time they look at it, they’ll be reminded of your bond, and it will serve as a comforting presence during the times you’re apart.
3. Surprise Flowers or Gifts
Brighten your partner’s day with an unexpected flower delivery or a surprise gift. Use online services like Uber Eats, DoorDash, or local flower shops to send their favorite blooms, chocolates, or a cozy blanket directly to their doorstep.
This thoughtful gesture, delivered without any special occasion, will remind them that you’re thinking of them. Even a simple item like their favorite coffee or pastry sent from afar can make their day. Small surprises like this can inject joy into a routine day and show that you’re actively working to keep the romance alive.
4. Shared Playlist of Meaningful Songs
Create a personalized playlist of songs that hold meaning for your relationship. Add tracks that remind you of special moments, such as songs you’ve listened to together or lyrics that reflect your feelings for one another.
Share the playlist through a streaming service like Spotify or Apple Music, and encourage your partner to listen when they’re missing you. You can even add a few new songs with lyrics that express how you feel. This playlist will become a go-to when either of you feels the distance, helping to rekindle memories and keep the emotional connection strong.
Plan Future Visits and Adventures
1. Book a Weekend Getaway
Planning your next visit? Turn it into a mini-adventure by booking a weekend getaway for just the two of you. Choose a destination neither of you has been to, or pick a favorite spot that holds special memories. Start by browsing for accommodation together, deciding on fun activities, and building anticipation for your trip.
Whether it’s a cozy cabin in the mountains, a beach retreat, or an exciting city, planning a trip adds excitement to the countdown. The anticipation of spending quality time together in a new place will keep you both excited and looking forward to your next reunion.
2. Create a Detailed Itinerary for Your Next Reunion
When your next visit is on the horizon, create an itinerary packed with fun activities. Whether you plan to visit local attractions, enjoy dinner at your favorite restaurant, or have a movie night at home, having a schedule ensures you’ll make the most of your time together.
Sit down with your partner in advance and brainstorm things you both enjoy. While spontaneity is great, an itinerary helps you avoid missing out on experiences you’ve been looking forward to. Planning together also gives you something exciting to discuss leading up to the visit.
3. Countdown to the Next Visit
Counting down the days until your next visit helps keep the excitement alive. Use an app or a shared calendar to mark off the days, and celebrate small milestones like hitting the one-month or one-week mark. You can send each other daily countdown messages or small virtual surprises as the date approaches.
To make it extra special, plan a surprise or two for your partner’s arrival, like their favorite meal waiting for them or tickets to an event they’d love. The countdown builds anticipation and gives you both something tangible to look forward to.
Engage in Shared Activities
1. Read the Same Book
Start a mini book club with your partner by reading the same book. Choose a genre you both enjoy, whether it’s a mystery, romance, or self-help book, and set weekly reading goals. Each week, hop on a call to discuss the chapters you’ve read, share your thoughts on the characters, and debate the plot twists.
This activity fosters deeper conversations and allows you to bond over a shared experience. Plus, it gives you something to look forward to discussing during your regular calls, making each interaction more engaging and meaningful.
2. Virtual Fitness Challenge
Staying active together is a great way to feel connected, even from a distance. Set up a fitness challenge, such as running a certain number of miles per week or completing a workout program together. You can share your progress through photos or video calls and cheer each other on with words of encouragement.
For added fun, join a virtual fitness class together or track your steps with fitness apps like Strava. This shared goal not only keeps you both healthy but also creates a sense of teamwork, motivating each other to reach your fitness targets.
3. Watch Movies Together with Teleparty
Set up a virtual movie night using Teleparty, which allows you to watch movies or shows simultaneously while chatting in real-time. Choose a movie you’ve both been wanting to see, grab some snacks, and settle in for a cozy night.
As the movie plays, you can react together, laugh, or discuss key moments via the chat feature. This shared experience recreates the feeling of watching something together in person, adding a layer of fun to your long-distance routine. It’s a great way to unwind and feel connected after a long day.
4. Cook the Same Recipe Together
Turn a regular dinner into a shared experience by cooking the same recipe together over a video call. Pick a recipe that interests both of you, gather the ingredients, and walk through the cooking process together while chatting. You can offer each other cooking tips, share stories, and laugh at any kitchen mishaps.
Once the meal is ready, sit down to eat together virtually. This interactive activity not only brings you closer but also gives you both a sense of accomplishment. It’s a creative way to bond and share a meal, even from afar.
Set Relationship Goals and Milestones
1. Plan a Move or Living Together Timeline
In any long-distance relationship, it’s important to discuss long-term goals, such as moving to the same city or living together. Sit down with your partner and create a realistic timeline for when you might close the distance. Discuss factors like job opportunities, living arrangements, and financial planning.
Having a concrete plan gives you both something to work toward, alleviating the uncertainty of being apart. Even if it’s a few years away, knowing that you’re both on the same page with a shared goal can strengthen your commitment and give your relationship a sense of direction.
2. Save Together for Regular Visits
Visits can be expensive, so set a joint savings goal to make them more manageable. Create a budget that includes travel expenses, lodging, and spending money for each visit. You can open a shared savings account or simply agree on an amount to set aside each month.
Tracking your progress together will make each visit feel like a team effort, and hitting your savings goals will be a source of mutual accomplishment. This also ensures that neither partner feels burdened by the financial strain of long-distance travel, keeping the focus on enjoying your time together.
3. Long-Term Vision for Your Relationship
Take time to discuss your future as a couple and set long-term relationship goals. Where do you see yourselves in the next five years? What are your individual dreams and aspirations? How do those align with your goals as a couple?
Having these conversations helps you both feel secure in the relationship, knowing that you’re working toward a shared future. It also opens up the opportunity to discuss practical plans, such as career moves, family goals, or lifestyle changes. A shared vision strengthens the bond and ensures you’re both aligned in your long-term plans.
4. Plan Future Holidays Together
Even if you can’t spend every holiday together right now, planning for future holidays can give you something to look forward to. Discuss how you’ll spend major holidays like Christmas, New Year’s, or Valentine’s Day once you’re in the same city.
You can also plan to alternate spending holidays with each other’s families or take turns hosting special events. Having these discussions and planning ahead adds excitement to your future together, and it shows that you’re both invested in celebrating life’s special moments as a couple.
Celebrate Special Moments
1. Birthday Cake and Video Call Celebration
Surprise your partner on their birthday with a delivered cake or a special treat. Coordinate with a local bakery or use delivery apps to send a cake, and plan a video call to celebrate together. You can sing “Happy Birthday,” watch them blow out the candles, and enjoy a virtual toast to mark the occasion.
Even though you can’t be there in person, creating a special moment over video helps make the day memorable. Consider adding a personal touch, like decorating your background with birthday balloons or creating a digital birthday card.
2. Virtual Surprise Anniversary Party
For your anniversary, plan a virtual surprise party that includes close friends and family. Create a Zoom event where everyone can join in to celebrate your relationship. You can prepare a playlist of meaningful songs, create a slideshow of your favorite photos together, and ask friends to share their favorite memories of you as a couple.
This virtual gathering not only honors your relationship but also allows your loved ones to share in the joy. It’s a creative and fun way to celebrate your anniversary, making it feel just as special as if you were together.
3. Thoughtful Gifts for Special Occasions
Special occasions like anniversaries, Valentine’s Day, or relationship milestones deserve thoughtful gifts. Plan ahead and send a meaningful gift, such as a piece of jewelry, a personalized memento, or something that represents an inside joke between the two of you.
You can even make a scrapbook of your favorite memories or a framed photo of a memorable trip. These gifts show that you’ve put thought into the relationship, and receiving something tangible in the mail adds a layer of excitement to the special day.
4. Create a Digital Photo Album
Work together to create a digital photo album of your relationship, compiling your favorite photos, videos, and memories. Use a service like Google Photos or Canva to organize the images and add captions or personal notes. You can update the album over time, adding new photos and moments from each visit.
This shared project allows you both to reflect on the journey you’ve taken together and celebrate the bond you’ve built. When you’re feeling the distance, flipping through the photo album will remind you of all the love and joy you’ve shared.
Stay Emotionally Connected
1. Shared Digital Journal
Keep a shared digital journal where you both write letters, notes, or reflections about your day and your relationship. Use Google Docs or Evernote to create a space where you can jot down thoughts, express feelings, or even ask questions for your partner to respond to.
Writing entries at the end of the day can become a comforting routine, allowing you both to share your experiences in a meaningful way. This journal becomes a living document of your relationship, chronicling your emotional journey together. It’s a great way to feel close even when you’re apart.
2. Random Love Letters
Brighten your partner’s day by surprising them with random love letters in the mail. You don’t need a special occasion—just write a heartfelt message expressing your love, gratitude, or even a fond memory you’ve been thinking about. Mail it out, and when they receive it, they’ll have a tangible reminder of your affection.
The personal touch of handwritten words makes the gesture even more meaningful. Love letters are timeless and offer a break from the digital world, allowing your partner to hold a piece of your heart in their hands.
3. Weekly Gratitude Practice
Make it a weekly tradition to share what you’re grateful for in your relationship. At the end of each week, send a message or jump on a call to talk about the small and big things you appreciate in each other. This could be as simple as thanking your partner for their emotional support or recognizing their sense of humor.
Practicing gratitude together fosters positivity and helps you both focus on the strengths of your relationship. Over time, this habit strengthens your bond and creates a sense of mutual appreciation, especially during tough times.
4. Emotional Check-Ins
Regularly check in with each other about your emotional well-being, especially during stressful periods. Ask your partner how they’re feeling, both about the relationship and life in general, and share your own thoughts as well. These conversations build trust and openness, helping to address any concerns before they grow into bigger issues.
Being vulnerable about your emotions creates a safe space for honest communication. This practice helps you stay emotionally connected and shows that you’re actively supporting each other through the ups and downs of long-distance life.
