When my partner and I first met, we were separated by 1,500 miles and a global pandemic. It wasn’t exactly the love story I had imagined for myself but it turned out to be so much more than I ever could have hoped for.

Like many modern romances, ours began online. In 2020, when the world felt like it had been put on pause, we found each other in the stillness. We were both workaholics, always moving, always busy. Until the pandemic forced us to slow down. And in that quiet space, we started talking. Casual at first, about books, music, the things we loved. But quickly, it became constant. Texts, calls, video chats. He became the voice I wanted to hear every morning and the face I longed to see every night.

When travel finally became possible, he came to visit me for a long weekend. It was magic! Soft, effortless, blissful. But when he left, reality returned. Would this be a fleeting connection, a comet that burned bright but disappeared just as fast? I didn’t know. What I did know was that my heart felt full. And so did his.

So, we chose to keep going. We talked. Really talked. About what it would mean to be in a long-distance relationship. Could we stay close while being so far apart? How could we create a love that would thrive, not just survive?

Our answer: Intentional Intimacy.

We made a promise to carve out space for each other every single week. Friday nights became sacred—our date nights. They weren’t elaborate, but they were ours. A tether between two hearts reaching across time zones.

Here are some of the ways we stayed close, even when we couldn’t be together:

Virtual Museum Tours 🖼️
We wandered the digital halls of the world’s greatest museums, side by side on video. We paused to talk about the art, laughed at the strange pieces, and let ourselves simply be in the same (virtual) space.

Surprise Dinners 🍱
DoorDash became our cupid. We’d surprise one another with dinner delivery, then share a meal on video. Laughing, chatting, savoring not just the food but each other’s company.

Video Games Together 🎮
He introduced me to Minecraft (I was terrible), and I coaxed him into Animal Crossing (he was a natural). We teamed up for It Takes Two and only mildly yelled at each other over Overcooked. It was silly, chaotic, and exactly what we needed.

Movie Nights 🎬
Streaming became our theater. We’d cue up a movie, grab snacks, and press play at the same time. Sometimes we’d talk through it, sometimes just sit in companionable silence. Both felt equally intimate.

Art Nights 🎨
We both love painting, so we set up our cameras and created together. When our pieces were done, we mailed them to one another. It was a tangible reminder of the time and love we shared from afar.

Our Little Book Club 📚
I’ve always loved reading, and he was trying to build the habit. So we read aloud to each other, chapter by chapter. Our first book was The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. We took turns picking the next, and it became a ritual that slowed us down and brought us closer.

Getting Crafty 🧶
One night, we decided to try crochet. He was instantly good at it. I… wasn’t. My yarn was a mess, my stitches uneven. But we laughed and enjoyed every moment. I still have that ball of yarn—just in case we try again someday.

Spicy Time, Too 🌶️
Yes, intimacy includes physical connection. Even at a distance, we found ways to stay close in that way, too. Let’s just say, thank goodness for modern technology and a little creativity. 😉

But beyond all the activities, what mattered most was this: We showed up.

We shared our dreams, our fears, our vulnerabilities. We talked about our future. And when I felt touch-starved, when I wanted nothing more than a hug or kiss, we found comfort in small things; blankets that smelled like each other, whispered goodnights, silly videos, and hope.

Some nights, we’d scroll through Zillow and plan our future home. We imagined rooms filled with laughter, a garden, a cozy kitchen, our kids running around. That vision kept us going. It reminded us that this distance was only temporary, and that love was worth the wait.

And now, here we are. Five years later. We live together. Our children under one roof. Our Friday nights still sacred. And I can steal a kiss anytime I want.

Our relationship is the strongest, most grounded love I’ve ever known. Not even my past marriage gave me this kind of closeness. I believe it’s because we built our foundation with intention. We didn’t rely on convenience or chance. We created space, again and again, for connection. For each other.

So, to anyone navigating love, whether long-distance, open, traditional, or something in between… remember this:

Be intentional.

There’s a world of difference between time spent together, and time invested in one another. Intimacy grows where effort is planted. And when you pour your love with purpose, that cup will overflow with joy, connection, and the kind of intimacy that distance can’t touch.

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What about you?
Have you ever had to nurture love across the miles? What are some ways you’ve kept connection alive? Whether in a long-distance relationship or simply during life’s busy seasons. I’d love to hear your stories, your rituals, your lessons. Let’s keep this conversation going. Drop a comment below. 💕