For many couples, dealing with weeks, months, and even years of a long distance relationship is a reality. My husband is Australian, and myself Canadian, so we’ve definitely had our seasons of life with the Pacific Ocean between us, needing to juggle contrasting time zones and work schedules.
While it’s definitely more work than standard dating, long distance will make your relationship stronger than ever and teach you and your partner crucial principles that will assist you in marriage in the future.
I’ve learned three different methods that have helped my husband and I keep God at the center of our relationship, and you can use in your own long distance relationship as well.
+ Study the Bible Together +
Even though you and your significant other may be far apart, there’s no reason why your joined relationship with God should become non-existent.
A great way to bond with each other is selecting a book of the Bible to read together. It’s something my husband and I really enjoyed when we were apart, and we still do it now that we’re together and married. It guides our conversations back to God and keeps Him at the center of our relationship.
I really believe that getting in this habit while you and your partner are apart will help you to continue this healthy practice once you are reunited.
+ Keep Dating Each Other +
Perhaps you’re yearning for the date nights you used to have, whether they were nights out at the movies or quick coffee dates. You can recreate this sort of atmosphere as long as you both remain intentional about prioritizing dates together, even when you aren’t there physically.
Pick a day and time once a week that works for both of you, and stick to it! It can be tempting or easier to cancel or reschedule a “skype date” versus a “real date,” but I encourage you to treat it as a proper date.
Even if you are phoning each other to chat once a day, it’s about quality, not quantity. Having a carved out time where you can connect face to face for an uninterrupted, undistracted hour or so will help you keep that connection alive.
+ Remember The 5 Love Languages® +
You consider your partner’s primary love languages when you’re together, and it can be the same even though there’s distance.
For example, if your significant other feels loved by receiving meaningful gifts, they will most likely be on cloud nine if they receive a letter or package in the mail from you.
Acts of service is a little tricky since you’re unable to physically be there to “do” something for them, but it helps to keep your ears open. Is your partner especially stressed about something? Can you do anything to ease that burden, even if it seems small?
Those of you who have physical touch as their primary love language may be feeling the absence of that the most compared to the others during a long distance relationship, but there are ways around it. Yes, it is one of the most difficult to maintain with distance, but there are things that can help.
For myself, a fellow physical touch lover, I definitely found it difficult, but something that helped me was having tangible reminders. For instance, having a T-shirt or hoodie of his that had his scent helped, (as cheesy as it may sound).
In general, get creative and really consider what your significant other’s primary love languages are, and go out of your way to surprise them, and make them feel loved. Use your resources, and have fun with it! It really is all about the small gestures, so even if you can’t pay for a grand romantic surprise for them, I’m sure they’d appreciate a bouquet of flowers being delivered to them at work instead.
+ In conclusion +
If there’s anything I’d like you to take away from this article, it’s that I want you to be encouraged and remember that your long distance relationship is worth it. You and your partner are building a strong foundation through this tough time that will assist you when you make the transition to marriage in the future. Pray without ceasing for each other, and God will help you both through the tough times apart.
Do you have any tips for how to have a strong and Godly long distance relationship? Comment below, and share this article with those that may be needing some encouragement!
