3. Keeping Romance Alive Without Physical Touch 

Without the comfort of physical closeness, love in a long-distance relationship must be shown in more creative ways. That’s where the concept of love languages becomes powerful. Kate Paluszek breaks this down beautifully: Explaining physical touch is just one of the five love languages. When that’s unavailable, strengthening the other four can make the physical connection even more meaningful when it returns. “Intimacy is built both physically and emotionally,” says Kate. “If you work on the other four areas and get those strong, physical touch becomes that much more fulfilling.”  

This section further explains the Love Languages and how to properly fulfill them: 

• Words of Affirmation – Send heartfelt texts, love letters, or even voice memos. 

• Acts of Service – Surprise them by ordering their favorite meal or helping them with research. 

• Gifts – Small, thoughtful gifts like a playlist, a photo book, or a handwritten letter can be meaningful. 

• Quality Time – Schedule virtual dates and focus on being fully present. 

• Physical Touch (in creative ways) – Send a hoodie that smells like you or use apps that let you “touch” each other virtually. 

• More Information –  Expansion On Love Language 

By embracing the five love languages in creative ways, you can keep the emotional connection strong despite the physical distance. If not aware of what your love language is Kate Paluszek states, “What I’ve seen in 20 years of experience is that if they aren’t aware of their partner’s love language, they tend to show love toward their partner in their personal love language. The intention may be great but sometimes the partner doesn’t see that it is intended to show love because what means most to them might be a different love language”. Scary? Yes, although these are hyperlinks below are quizzes that you and your partner can take to truly get a gage on what your most coveted love languages are: 

Dr. Gary Chapman Quiz                                           

Love Language Quiz 

4. Keeping Conversations Fresh and Exciting 

This section was largely influenced by insight shared from Marci Zago. Explaining, when you're in a long-distance relationship, communication is everything. Talking every day helps you feel connected, but after a while, conversations can start to feel routine especially when your days look similar. Instead of falling into the trap of repetitive small talk, try to keep your conversations engaging, deep, and fun. She helped get this blog post back on track by giving you guys wonderful ideas on how to make more interaction feel fresh and meaningful: 

• Ask Deeper Questions – Use conversation starters like, “What’s a childhood memory that shaped who you are?” 

• Watch Shows Together – Streaming movies/TV shows at the same time gives you a shared experience. 

• Creating Future Goals Together – Whether it's learning a new language or planning a future trip, shared goals strengthen bonds. More on the impact of Couple Goals 

• Discuss Value System –Values don’t have to be exactly aligned but they are very important in relationships. Yes, finding the right time to discuss this can be hard but Kate and Marci both went on to explain that practicing and discussing these strategies with your partner can help long-distance relationships avoid routine by mixing up communication styles and finding creative ways to interact.

If both partners stay engaged and try, the distance feels less significant, creating a deeper bond over time. Alexa Zeller said, “Honestly, I find the most joy in sharing the small things, both good and bad, that happen throughout my day with my partner. I find it makes the distance feel less daunting and like they’re living it with you.”  

5. Making the Most of In-Person Visits 

Being together in person after weeks or months apart is one of the most exciting parts of a long-distance relationship. To make the most of limited visits, focus on creating meaningful experiences and strengthening your bond. Balance fun, relaxation, and quality time to ensure you both feel fulfilled and connected. 

• Be Present – Put phones away and soak up each other’s company. 

• Plan Meaningful Activities – Balance adventure with downtime. 

• Capture Memories – Take photos, but don’t let them distract from real moments. 

• More Information – On Making the Time Count 

Each visit is a reminder of why the distance is worth it. Whether it’s a weekend getaway, a simple movie night, or just taking a walk, what truly matters is the quality of the time you share. “I think the time you have together can be maximized by making sure each of you gets to do something or go somewhere that is exciting to you, that way you can bond over each other’s interest and it’s always so exciting seeing your partner light up when they get the chance to share their interest with you!” stated Zeller.  

6. Creative Ways to Plan Visits on a Budget 

LDR’s can be costly, but with creativity and smart planning, you can make visits more affordable, even on a tight budget. By prioritizing in-person time and using budget-friendly strategies, you can make seeing each other more possible. This is possible by: 

• Using Travel Rewards – Take advantage of student discounts, credit card travel points, or airline reward programs to reduce costs. 

• Meeting Halfway – Instead of one person making the full trip, find a city or town between both of you to split travel costs and time. 

• Saving Together – Set up a shared savings plan and put aside a little each month toward your next trip, it adds up faster than you think. 

• More Information: On How to Plan on a Budget 

Planning visits on a budget requires teamwork, but it also adds excitement and anticipation. Even if you can’t see each other as often as you’d like, knowing that you’re both making the effort makes every visit even more meaningful. 

7. Fun Virtual Date Ideas on a Budget 

Virtual dates can be fun and meaningful without being expensive. By being intentional and creative, you can make time for each other in ways that feel exciting, whether romantic, entertaining, or interactive. Here are some budget-friendly virtual date ideas to keep things fresh: 

• Cook Together – Pick a recipe, grab your ingredients, and video call while cooking side by side in your own kitchens. Bonus points if you make the same dish and compare results! 

• Create a Playlist for Each Other – Exchange mood-specific playlists—whether it’s for studying, working out, or late-night deep talks. It can also be as simple as sending the other person a song that reminds you of them!  Music can make you feel closer even when you’re apart. 

• Read a Book Together – Choose a book and discuss chapters like a mini book club. It gives you something new to talk about and keeps your mind engaged. 

• More Information: On exciting Virtual Date Ideas

Virtual dates don’t have to be complicated to be special. It’s about finding small but meaningful ways to enjoy each other’s company, even from afar.  

Psychology in Relationships  

Knowledge of psychology is crucial in a relationship, as it helps us understand the nervous system's impact on our emotions and daily experiences. Recognizing that our feelings are valid reassures us that we are not "crazy" but rather responding to real emotional triggers. Insecurity, when left unaddressed, can become overwhelming, making it essential to nurture self-awareness and emotional regulation. Psychological patterns such as black-and-white thinking, where situations are seen as strictly good or bad, and catastrophic thinking, which leads to exaggerated fears, can negatively impact a relationship if not managed properly. According to Kate Paluszek, “This approach allows you to be proactive instead of reactive if you know what your partner is looking for on a basic level, you can kind of have a road map of what they're looking for, how they feel appreciated and important”. 

Why is this so Important? 

This is so important to identify, because when the nervous system is triggered, the brain can feel "hijacked," making it harder to think rationally in emotional situations. If insecurities or past trauma begin to affect your relationship, seeking therapy can provide a new perspective and have a major positive impact on both you and your partner. According to therapist Marci Zago, improving awareness of physical and emotional reactions such as sweaty palms, a racing heart, or spiraling thoughts can help in managing emotional responses. Simple therapeutic strategies like deep breathing exercises and challenging irrational thoughts are essential. For example, if your partner doesn’t immediately respond to a text while at the gym, rather than assuming the worst, consider more realistic possibilities like their phone being on silent or them being in the middle of a workout. By incorporating psychological awareness and therapeutic strategies, you can strengthen emotional resilience and maintain a healthy, balanced relationship. More on Nervous Systems Impact. 

Final Thoughts 

To close our interview, Alexa stated “You have to ask yourself if your looking for short term momentary happiness, or long-term perpetual joy”, in stating this she was explaining that in this day and age our generation focuses on immediate gratification rather than a long-term fulfillment of love. Long-distance relationships are about more than just enduring separation they’re about nurturing love and connection despite the distance. While challenges exist, they also provide opportunities for growth through trust, communication, and intentional effort. Love isn’t defined by proximity but by the effort put into making each other feel valued and supported. Through meaningful conversations, virtual dates, and thoughtful gestures, couples can strengthen their bond. In the end, long-distance relationships thrive when both partners are dedicated to making every moment count, proving that with patience and commitment, love can go the distance.