Long-distance relationships can be straining and complicated, but they’re not impossible. It may seem daunting at times, but the love you committed to one another is one without geographical barriers. If you’re feeling the trials of a long-distance marriage, here are six things you can do to build it back up.
Make Time
Your marriage is a vital commitment that deserves to be prioritized. The key here is that you’re not finding time, you’re making time. When your boss requires a weekly zoom conference, what do you do? You plan around that priority because it’s essential to keeping your job. Your time with your spouse is key to keeping your marriage.
Tech is Your Friend
Your marriage is taking place in the golden age of technology. The advances made on electronics and smart devices are ever-growing. Phone calls, emails, and texts are great for efficiency, but face-to-face conversing is best for intimacy.
Set a scheduled time to meet with your spouse via web cam. This concept holds most true for serious conversations. Don’t leave the important subject matter for written communication. Your tone of voice, facial expressions, and body language are vital for these interactions.
Solid Foundation
The Bible states in Matthew 10:9 that what God has brought together, no one can separate. When you build your life on a firm foundation, it can withstand any storm. This same philosophy applies to your marriage. Base your love and commitment in Christ, remember that he goes before and beside you when life gets heavy.
Pray together, send each other morning and evening devotions. A creative way to stay connected in your marriage is to purchase matching devotionals and workbooks. You can find these at many religious supplies stores. Fill the pages separately, and discuss them on your next video call.
Get Dolled Up
You might feel silly spending time and effort on your appearance to sit in front of a screen. Don’t let this deter you from going all out. Putting energy into outfit selection and personal grooming keeps a spark alive. Not only does it show your significant other that you care, but it can also boost your own self-confidence and overall mood.
It’s easy to fall into a cycle of sweatpants and pajamas. Comfort always trumps denim and lace. The idea is not an implication that you have to be dolled up at all times. Just be sure that you have a balance of being your most comfortable self and spicing things up.
Kick it Old School
Face-to-face communication is important, but throwing it back to traditional courting can be fun, too. Write an old-fashioned love letter and spray it with your perfume/cologne.
Get dressed up and take a polaroid photo to include in the envelope. Seal the letter with a kiss or a wax seal. Write a poem or your rendition of your love story. A tangible expression of love can be revisited time and again.
Express Your Creativity
Keep things light and fresh in your relationship by expressing your unique creativity. Plan activities for your date nights. Download trivia games or scavenger hunts online and challenge each other to a showdown. The winner of your game has to send dinner via food delivery to the other.
The things that make you unique are the very things that made your spouse fall in love with you. Don’t forget to have fun and never take yourselves too seriously. Send funny memes that remind you of your husband/wife. Take silly videos dancing to their favorite song and surprise them with it on a rough day. Remember your marriage is worth the effort, no matter the distance.