Being in a long-distance relationship means getting really good at a few things: coordinating schedules, saying "I miss you," and pretending that watching your partner eat dinner over FaceTime counts as a romantic evening. (And sometimes it does! No judgment.) But when your usual date night options are limited to staring at each other through a screen, coming up with actually fun long-distance date ideas can feel like a full-time job. Still, just because you can't physically be together doesn't mean you have to put dating each other on hold.
In fact, making time for actual dates is especially important when you're miles (or entire time zones) apart. "Dates help keep the spark going and remind you both, 'You matter to me, and I'm making time for us,'" says Robin Ducharme, president of Real Love Ready and author of Real Love Ready: A Guide to Relational Literacy. And no, that doesn't mean every virtual date needs to involve an elaborate plan, matching outfits, or a reservation for some wildly specific online experience.
Sometimes it's about trying something new together, and sometimes it's just about finding a way to make your usual quality time feel a little more special. Whether you're navigating a long-distance relationship, getting to know someone who lives a few states away, or just looking for something more exciting than your 47th "so, how was your day?" FaceTime call, these 45 long-distance date ideas will help you feel a little closer, even when you're nowhere near each other. Whether you're an astrology girlie or think Mercury retrograde is just an excuse for people to act unhinged, comparing birth charts can make for a surprisingly fun date night.
Have your charts read by an astrologer (or pull them up online for free), then hop on FaceTime to compare notes. Are your signs supposedly compatible? Does your partner's moon sign explain literally everything about them?
Do you believe any of it? Honestly, half the fun is debating how accurate your readings actually are. A shadow box is basically a deep picture frame that lets you display actual objects, not just photos.
Separately, collect a handful of sweet mementos from your relationship—postcards, Polaroids, photo booth strips, movie tickets, love notes, a matchbook from your first date spot, etc.—then hop on FaceTime to go down memory lane and chat about why you picked each thing. Arrange your keepsakes in your respective shadow boxes, and voilà: You've spent an evening reminiscing about your favorite memories and ended up with some cute new home decor. Cheese pairing is an art, okay?
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