Don’t Drift Apart!
by Meg Stivison.
When my parents started dating, they lived a few states away from each other. They’d see each other about once a month, but most of the time they mailed long letters back and forth. Although they now have boxes full of romantic letters, that kind of delayed communication can put quite a strain on a relationship.
Even with modern communications like e-mail and text-messaging, long distance relationships take work. After dating my boyfriend for almost two years, I took a one-year contract to work in another country. I know this isn’t the decision everyone would make, but it was the right choice for us. We both had great opportunities in our respective fields, and there was a definite endpoint in sight. We counted down the months until we’d be back in the same time zone.
While we were apart, we’d try to meet online (in the early morning for one of us and the late evening for the other) to play World of WarCraft. It might sound a bit silly to prioritize online gaming this way, but our twilight WoW adventures provided instant communication as well as a hobby we both enjoy. Distance often causes couples to drift apart, so it was important to have something that we were both doing, at the same time, even though we were different continents.
Participating in a hobby together also made our phone conversations more than each reciting the week’s activities in turn. Even if you haven’t seen your partner in weeks or months, playing together in real time brings an immediacy and a connection into the relationship.
This is not only for computer nerds. Yahoo! Chess or internet word games could also be a way to relax with your long-distance love, especially if you can chat as you play. Whether you compete or cooperate, a few sentences of instant in-game banter can help distant partners connect.
Even without distance, MMORPGs can aid a relationship. Computer gaming is a great hobby for couples, whether you’re across the room or across the country. What could be better than playing a game with your sweetheart?
About the author: Meg Stivison is a freelance writer in western Massachusetts. She draws on her experience working for a local dating service. She met her partner through their shared love of Roman history and computer strategy games, and she tries hard to overlook his terrible taste in music. Here’s The link to Meg Stivison’s Blog Site
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August 3rd, 2007 at 1:32 pm
Yahoo! Games was one of the best activities my fiance and I did “together” while we were apart. It really helped me feel close to him and I felt as if we were on an actual date.
August 4th, 2007 at 10:08 am
That’s a useful tip for long distance love. Who would have thought WoW would do this?
August 5th, 2007 at 6:43 pm
Excellent recommendation!
I was apart from my partner for about 2 months and we spoke on the phone almost everyday, but something was lacking. Having read this, I’m now realising something I could have done differently.
Long distance is a real challenge and I sometimes have to travel for work. I’ll give this tip a go and see how things go.
Best wishes and thanks!
Recanter
August 9th, 2007 at 1:11 pm
Don’t drift apart-that is good advise!
August 18th, 2007 at 5:18 pm
People meet and get married in World of Warcraft. I think its great that you two share a great hobby which allows you to communicate and have fun.
August 20th, 2007 at 2:52 pm
It’s a great tip for me. Too bad my ex who lives far from me don’t know much about internet and we separated at last.
Buy your tips really contribute a lot to me. Thanks
September 21st, 2007 at 4:49 am
If I were you, I think one of us should make a compromise. Though distance is not a problem, it’s better if couples stay in the same city. Little communication may put quite a strain on a relationship. That’s true.