As summer is nearing its end, many are returning from their vacations and falling back into the routine of everyday life. For some, this also means leaving their significant others behind. But fear not my long distance love birds! There are a few tips and tricks to keeping your romance fun, fresh, and functioning.

1. Communication:

There’s a reason this age-old advice is still around. Communication is, indeed, key. When distance separates you and the one you love, whether you’re busy with school, work, or what have you, it becomes difficult to find time to talk. Skype dates turn into short phone calls and those turn into texts; it’s never as easy as you think it’ll be. This inability to effectively communicate can result in a plethora of arguments, which are hard to resolve over miles and miles of distance. The solution? Say what you want to say! If you’re going to be busy for most of the day tomorrow, make it known! If the Skype date was really important to you and you’re miffed that it was put off or forgotten, let it out! Honesty is the best policy and your relationship will thank you.

2. Phone Calls vs. Texts:

I’ve been in two long distance relationships in my life, one lasted just a couple months and the other still going nearly two years strong. The difference? Choosing phone calls over texting. Now, is that the main reason the first relationship didn’t work out, probably not. However, heed my warning. Texting can become incessant, it can hinder you from experiencing life away from your partner and end up seemingly annoying on the receiving end. Come time for casual conversation and you have nothing to discuss since you’ve already texted them all about the paper you’re writing, the stain on your shirt, and the squirrel that looked like Elvis. Try and hold all those funny antics and exciting moments for a time when you and your partner can have an actual conversation about them. This will aid in longer conversations, healthy communication, and also give you a little something to look forward to at the end of the day.

3. Surprise!

Who doesn’t love a surprise? Probably some people; but what’s better than a little reminder that your partner is thinking of you? We all want to feel loved and appreciated, and while you might not be able to take your love bug out to dinner and a movie, there are other ways to show them that they’re on your mind. A care package is the ultimate sweet surprise in the middle of a busy week. Fill it with your partners favorite snack food, a goofy trinket, or a mix tape! A handwritten letter is an even more personal way to show how much you care. Even if you’re on the go, leaving a cute voicemail will be sure to make their day.

4. Enjoy a Little ‘You’ Time

Probably one of the most important tips of all, enjoy the time by yourself! Being away from the one you love can be rough, but you can’t obsess over it. In fact, moping and wailing over your long distance relationship will do nothing but make it worse. How can your relationship be strong and happy when you’re just sad and lonely? Go out, make friends, hang out with those friends, go for a jog, stay in, read a book, learn an instrument, write a poem, have a good time and don’t feel bad about it! Taking care of yourself is, in turn, taking care of your relationship.

So don’t be scared! Whether you’re moving away from your hunny for the first time or the sixth time, I hope these tips can help you turn your long distance relationship into a strong distance relationship.