Living far away from your partner doesn’t mean that you can’t have amazing dates together
BY SOFIE ROOS, IMAGE BY KEVIN ESCATE/UNSPLASH
It can feel difficult to come up with romantic, fun, intimate, cozy and original dates when being in a long distance relationship (LDR). But living a long way from your darling doesn’t actually mean that you can’t go on amazing dates together.
I’m Sofie Roos,a licensed sexologist, relationship therapist and author for the Swedish relationship magazine Passionerad.
I’m also bisexual and living with a woman, and over the years, we’ve spent some long periods away from each other. During these times, I’ve picked up on some date ideas that are lovely and that work perfectly over distance. These dates also paradoxically turn the distance into something that makes you get closer to each other.
Have a dinner date
Having a dinner date via video where you cook, drink some wine, chit chat and then eat together is almost as great as having this type of experience in person.
Preferably, you both cook the same thing, and you video call during the whole process (including grocery shopping and washing up). You don’t have to keep it short – set aside time so you can sit up late with candles and a beer long after the food is finished.
Shared movie nights
Watching a movie together via a video call works very well – just put on the same movie and have each other on the line at the same time so you can make small comments about what you’re watching, or just get the feeling of you being together while enjoying the movie in silence.
Beforehand, you can go to the store while phoning to get the same snacks, and afterwards, you can talk about the story.
Make a painting together
Buy a cheap canvas, some paint and then make paintings for each other while filming and talking over the phone. You can also give each other ideas during the process to be a part of each other’s artistic works, and when you meet next time, you switch paintings!
You can also just do half the painting, and when you switch next time, you finish what your partner started, making a cute artwork that you made together.
Have a game night
If you’re into gaming, then bunk up with some pizzas and soda pops, chill back, hit the phone with your partner, and play multiplayer together all night long while laughing and chatting.
Playing games with your partner is an awesome way to do something fun together, yet in a relaxed way that doesn’t feel too complicated to get off with.
Do what you normally do
This advice is not so concrete as it depends a lot on your individual interests. Do you often jam out on your instruments together when being in person? Do you like to take runs in each other’s company? Or do you enjoy reading books out loud to each other?
You can do all that in a LDR – just hook up on the line, either with video or only audio, and then enjoy each other’s company!
It’s never been easier than today to keep the spark alive in a LDR. If you want to, you can make it feel almost like you’re actually in the same room, so by taking advantage of your technical devices, nothing can stop you from having the best time together.
Last thoughts…
When you are in a LDR, you fantasise a lot about your partner and spend lots of time missing them and thinking about what you will do when you meet. You never take them for granted in the same way as you easily do if meeting every day. They are instead with you all the time in heart and thought, and that builds a very strong connection!
So turn the miles between you into something good that makes you stronger, and show the world that you can go through everything together – and asking your loved one out for a long distance date is a great beginning!
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