Digital Camera

Gifts to Give Your Long Distance Loved One

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Maintaining a long distance relationship is probably one of the most challenging times you will go through as a couple. You’ll have to be extra attentive to staying connected, even when physical distance is keeping you apart. One of the best ways to stay connected is by sending gifts that remind your loved one of you and help bring you together emotionally.

1. Countdown Chain:
Countdown Chain
In anticipation of the next time you will get to see each other, make a countdown chain with strips of paper linked together in a chain. Write a little love note, something fun you want to do next time you see each other, or something you appreciate about your loved one on each strip of paper. That way your loved one will get to smile each day she pulls off another link from the chain.

2. Cool Digital Camera:
Digital Camera
Staying connected is a lot easier when you get to see each other, or at least photos of each other. Give your loved one a cool digital camera that will capture each moment in crisp clarity and vivid color. Then, as you go through your days, you can share pictures and notes through a shared web-based storage service so you know what your loved one does on a day-to-day basis.

3. Homemade Baked Goods:
Cookies
A taste of home may be just what your loved one needs to get through a rough day. When you have a chance, make up a batch of her favorite baked goods, whether they’re cookies, your famous banana bread or a pan of decadent fudge brownies. Package them carefully in airtight containers to make sure they’re still fresh when they arrive in the mail, and of course, include a little love note as well.

4. Matching Pillowcases:
Soul Mate Pillowcases
Nights are often the loneliest time when you’re in a long distance relationship, so get matching pillowcases to help you feel a little bit more connected with one another. There are tons of cute designs with lines connecting male and female characters when the pillows are placed next to each other, so you’ll still feel at least a little bit connected while your pillows are apart, too. For a special touch, a spray of perfume or cologne on the pillow to give your loved one a reminder of what you smell like is a comforting thing.

5. Surprise Visit:
Surprise Visit
There’s nothing like actually getting to spend time together, so surprise your loved one with an unexpected weekend visit. This one can be a little bit tricky to coordinate, and you’ll want to get the help of some of her friends who can keep a secret. Have them make plans with her for the weekend to ensure that she has time set aside, and then have them help you show up for a surprise meeting when you arrive.

The gifts you choose to give can show your loved one how well you know her and what she cares about. Personalizing gifts for her interests is a great way to demonstrate your love and thoughtfulness, although any gift in general will probably be appreciated. Try to send gifts not only for holidays, like birthdays and anniversaries, but also as little surprises to help brighten your loved one’s day.

Image Credit:

TWINTHOMAS
mararie
betsyweber
Lars Plougmann

How to Spend Time Together When You Are 5,000 Miles Apart

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How to Make Long Distance Love Work

Being in a relationship is hard and distance between you can make that even harder. Keep them on their toes and show them you love them. Don’t ever let things get dull.

Here are five tips to help make your long distance relationship work.

Randomly send an email with a little note saying how thankful you are for them. Tell them one new thing you love about them. Give them a hint that there is a sexy surprise coming their way. It will totally make their day. And who knows? Maybe one day you can expect a random, day-making email of your own.

Distance can be really hard. Let your love know you’re thinking of them and can’t wait to see them next by putting together a care package. Over a week or two when you’re out and about (or online) and you happen to see something that totally screams their name and you know they will love, Scoop it up. Pick up a few favorite candies, a sweet card with a photo, that book they have been eyeing and maybe a little something they can use to treat themselves. Package it up pretty and send it off. It’ll be a wonderful surprise with a personal touch.

It’s so easy to just text or shoot off an email lately, that we sometimes forget how impersonal it can be. Pick up the phone and call your significant other. Listen to each other’s voices and laughs instead of reading words and lolz. Hear them say “I love you” and “good night” instead of picking up your phone when the text light flashes. You will both feel loved and reassured. Promise.

Long distance and happy hour or dinner dates? They can still totally work! Grab a bottle of wine, cook up something delicious (or order in if you’re feeling lazy), fire up that webcam and have dinner and drinks while talking. Skype dates are a great alternative to when you can’t be together for in the flesh.

Movie night. Yes, this totally sounds weird for a long distance relationship, but it could totally. Pick up the same DVD or both of you record the same thing on DVR and watch it together. Have the phone on speaker or even your webcam on so you can laugh, swoon or even cry with the other.

Surprise! Count those airline miles or gas up the car and get ready to use a vacation day or two. Take a long weekend and just show up. Chances are they will think this is the best thing ever and make some time. You two can hit the town or sit on the couch and make out while watching your favorite show. Nothing beats in persons who catch up time!

Leaving the Options Open or Not

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Dated a guy for 4 months who went into the army last week.  The Friday before he left we spent the night together and he really showed me how much he appreciated me and told me he loved me so much. When he left Saturday we talked on the phone a while and I asked him if he was going to keep on loving me and he said ‘Yeah, for sure’.

 

The next day he started acting distant and we were supposed to spend Monday night (Valentines Day) together for a little while. When I texted him Monday afternoon and asked what time he was coming, he said he had a lot to get done since he was leaving the next day and wasn’t sure if he could come but was going to try.

I asked him if he wanted to be with me and he replied ‘why do you ask’. And I said because I wanted to know and if I was going to wait for him I needed to know he wanted it. He said that he loved me but wanted to be friends (emphasizing he wasn’t being cliche, but really wanted my support and friendship while he was in the military).  He said he thought it would be too much on him as a person and a soldier to maintain a long distance relationship but again wanted to keep a friendship. I was upset, and he knew it, but said if I couldn’t accept it then he didn’t know.

So I backed off and we didn’t talk much for a couple days.  When he left, we texted some but it was very awkward. I went out that Saturday night (following weekend) and texted him saying I was drunk and missed him and quoted a line of a song we liked. He texted me the next morning and said he missed me too and sorry but he didn’t get much time with his phone.

He was going to be unable to use his phone starting that Friday (2 weekends after we spent our last night together) and he sent me a second picture on that Wednesday and I replied saying I liked the pic and he was killing me because he knew I loved him so much. He never responded and left Friday without contacting me.

I don’t know what to do at this point. He mentioned he would get his address to me, but its been over a week now and I need advice.

– doinme45255

Min Min says:
March 5, 2011 at 7:22 pm
I can understand how you feel, but it’s just been a week, and you’ll get better. When time passes, when you calm down and look back, you’ll understand him. It’s better than your burning on flame when you’re apart.

If you could switch the roles, you would understand him. He couldn’t present when you needed him like before. If you were friends, and sometimes wrote to each other, things could be easier.

Since you still regard him as your boyfriend, you’re sensitive. e.g. You don’t hear from him. Do you know it’s a burden for him to be the same person in need like before while you’re apart?

He sensed it and he’s not positive about future.

I think it’s because you’re together for 4 months but not for 4 years, so your feeling is not firm enough. There’re a lot to explore.

Be natural. If you naturally love him, then you keep in touch with him. You’re together for 4 months and it’s not long enough for any of you to make promise. You’re emotional now.

You’ll get better when time passes.

doinme45255 says:
March 5, 2011 at 7:25 pm
Do you think he will contact me?
If he does should I respond?

Min Min says:
March 5, 2011 at 7:35 pm
Sure he will. You’re friends. Your feelings are the same; just that he doesn’t show it as you do for your sake. When time passes, both of you will get used to the change.

He wouldn’t contact you too soon.

When he contacts you, you should act like a friend, not a lover.

It’s about getting used to a change. You need to occupy your life by other people.

doinme45255 says:
March 5, 2011 at 7:46 pm
Ok – do you think he was leaving the door open for possible relationship later on?

Min Min says:
March 5, 2011 at 7:58 pm
Of course, but the probability is the same as no, just as any other couple who’re together couldn’t guarantee their future. What if some day you fall in love with someone else? How can you make sure you won’t change? How you feel at this moment is not guaranteed forever. Be natural.

What he does is to make both of us get used to the change. So I wouldn’t encourage you to feel you would wait for him. You need to leave your options open for him AND others.