Don’t let the miles between you stop you from being romantic. Looking for inspiration? Here are eight romantic surprises for the woman in your life who you’re loving long distance!
1. Surprise her with flowers
You don’t have to live in the same city to surprise your lover with a thoughtful bouquet of her favorite flowers. Imagine her surprise when the florist delivers beautiful roses to her cubicle, or her home after a long day at work. Include a simple card letting her know how much you appreciate her and your relationship together.
But not everyone likes cleaning up rose petals. If your girlfriend doesn’t enjoy flowers, you could also send dinner from her favorite restaurant, or one of the world’s tiniest packages. Thanks to Amazon, you can send pretty much anything as a romantic gift these days. But only you know what your partner would love most, so get creative with those romantic ideas!
2. Remember old fashioned snail mail
Do you think it would be nice to get something in the mail besides bills and junk mail? Your girlfriend probably thinks the same thing! Take the time to jot down a quick (or not-so-quick!) note to her.
It’s not the same as a candlelit dinner together, but your note can go a long way and brighten up her mailbox.
Unlike texts that can get deleted for the sake of phone space, old fashioned notes can be kept in a box and read over and over again. I still have a box of notes that Joseph wrote me during our time of long distance dating that I enjoy reading, even years into our marriage!
3. Bridge the miles with a thoughtful surprise
I’ll never forget how Joseph surprised me one day when we were dating long distance. After a long day at work, I called him and shared that I was worn out and stressed. It seemed like I couldn’t get caught up at work, and there was still more to do. I didn’t know where I’d find the energy to finish up what needed to be done.
Joseph listened to how my day was going and encouraged me. But his thoughtfulness continued even after we finished talking. After I hung up the phone, I looked down at my notifications and saw that Joseph had sent me $5. The message attached to the surprise was “Go grab a latte.” It was the perfect small romantic gesture to help me get re-energized for the rest of the day ahead.
There’s nothing more romantic that knowing that you’re seen and loved by your partner. Being a thoughtful boyfriend goes a long way in any relationship, but it really shines in long distance romance.
4. Give her your undivided attention during phone calls
We live in a world that glorifies busyness and productivity. So while it’s tempting to check email while you’re visiting on a phone call with your partner, resist the urge. Put down the distractions and spend intentional time together.
Sure, you can fold the laundry while you talk to your lover. You could make dinner while you catch up about your day. But if you want to truly be present with her, sit down and give her your undivided attention. You’ll begin to notice how much more of the conversation you’re able to be present for!
5. Pay attention to her love language
Some people love physical touch, while others go crazy for intentional gifts. For others, affirming them goes a lot longer than acts of service. And don’t forget quality time. If these love languages are like a foreign language to you, brush up on Gary Chapman’s five ways that people receive love.
Remember, the way you express your feelings and enjoy being loved may not be the same way your girlfriend expresses her feelings and feels loved. So get to know your girlfriend or fiancee’s love language and love her in the ways she loves!
6. Surprise her with a care package
Care packages are perfect for days when you’d love to celebrate a special occasion in person but can’t make it happen.
Your care package could be filled with her favorite bottle of wine, a new book she’s been talking about, her favorite movies, or something that reminds her of an inside joke you share as a couple. You could include candles with a scent that made you think of a place you’ve visited together.
Whether it’s her birthday, your anniversary, or a holiday she loves celebrating, surprise your girlfriend with a care package.
7. Create a playlist for her
Is your girlfriend the kind of woman who has a soundtrack for every moment of her life? One way to surprise her could be creating a playlist for her. It’s like the 21st century version of creating a mix tape!
When Joseph and I were dating, he made me a playlist for our first Christmas together. Every time I drove down to see him on the weekend, I’d put the CD in the radio and think of memories we shared as a couple. Some of the songs that Joseph picked ended up becoming songs we danced to together at our wedding reception as husband and wife!
Your playlist could include some of her favorites, a few of your favorites you’d love to introduce to her, and songs that mean something to you both together.
8. Be intentional with your next visit in person
Maybe you’re on the opposite side of the country as your lover. Maybe you’re in a totally different country! The time between visits can seem to stretch on forever, but one way to make the long time between visits feel a little less painful is to be intentional with planning your next visit.
Grab your calendar the next time you talk with your partner and see when would be a good time to come visit. It may be months away, but having a goal in mind is a great way to love your long distance partner.
