We've all heard it before; long distance relationships just don't work out. Well that is not the case, nowadays. The ability to communicate with those around the world has gotten simpler, less expensive and more advanced. I am currently in a relationship with a man who lives 1200 miles away from me! How do we keep our connection alive a thousand miles away? There are six tools I recommend to stay close from a distance, but first, let's talk a little about why some of this technology is so popular starting with online dating.
Online dating: Almost half of Americans that are looking for love turn to the World Wide Web. Why not? It opens your dating pool to a wider array of prospects that you can match to your specific preferences. I didn't meet my boyfriend online; however it has led to dates, some of which turned into relationships.
Web cams: Visual cues such as facial expressions are important in long distance relationships as well. Web cams enable you to see that your partner is engaged and enjoying your conversations. At first, I wasn't comfortable using a webcam, but at this stage in my relationship, the web cam is a great way to see my boyfriend between visits. Web cameras do not have to be expensive. Check vendors like eBay and Craigslist for bargains.
Skype: Skype works with your computer's camera to allow you to video conference with your love interest. Another option is to leave out the camera and just communicate using your computer's microphone like a telephone. With Skype, you won't rack up a lot of long distance phone charges. My boyfriend and I utilize the camera feature. It enhances our Bible studies, TV watching, web surfing and playing online games together.
Text and picture messaging: Texting and picture messaging are a quick convenient way to keep in touch. Let's face it. We have work and other responsibilities throughout the day and there is not always the time or the place to talk on the phone or over the computer so texting is a great alternative.
Instant messaging: When you can't talk, but have Internet access, instant messaging is a good way to communicate with your partner. AOL, Google, MSN and Yahoo are some of the most popular instant messaging services. These are all free and reliable. Instant messaging is a way to send text based messages, pictures and text based files to your partner over the computer in real time.
Email: My boyfriend and I email each other virtual greeting cards, which you can get for free at http://www.123greetings.com/, on special occasions or just to say "I'm thinking about you." You can also be romantic by randomly sending poems, photos or videos.
Voicemail: Like email, you can use voicemail to deliver romantic messages such as "I just called to say I love you." Voicemail is also a good tool to use to remind your lover about important information, for example your flight plans or to get specifics about your upcoming date.
We've explored through this article, many ways to maintain a relationship when living hundreds or even thousands of miles away from your love interest. So the next time someone says, "Long distance relationships don't work," tell them to read this article.
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