Letters were the sole form of communication for my grandparents while my grandfather was deployed during World War II. Living in Massachusetts, my grandmother was lucky to receive a letter once a month. As I embark on my own long-distance relationship, I’m thankful technology has developed exponentially since my grandparents dated. Below are some ways my boyfriend and I plan on building and sustaining our relationship while I’m studying overseas.

Personalized hashtag
If there is something cute you say to one another, apply it as a hashtag to your Instagram photos and tweets. This way you can bring special attention to specific events or things that remind you of your partner.

Online dates
Each week, set aside time for a FaceTime date. Allocate as much time as you can, because face-to-face time is what will keep your bond strong. If you’re worried about just staring at your partner’s face, try scheduling a date for Sunday dinner or simultaneously watching a streaming movie.

Salvatore and Paul
One day, my boyfriend and I were shopping at Crompton Collective, and I fell in love with a vintage set of salt and pepper shakers ~ a pair of burly, white-bearded sailors reminiscent of the Gorton’s fisherman. Being semi-broke, we didn’t buy them. What I didn’t know was my boyfriend returned a few days later and bought them as a surprise. I named the salt shaker Salvatore and the pepper shaker Paul. We haven’t decided yet which will travel with me, but when I see one of them sitting on my nightstand next March, I’ll remember the small things that make this relationship different from anything previous.

Write. It. Down.
I know I emphasized the development of technology, but taking the time to write a letter, even if it just chronicles the day’s activities, will mean the world to your partner. Who doesn’t like receiving mail?!

Expectations for campus visits
When you visit your partner, set aside time to get to know his/her friends and school culture. You will have alone time with your partner, don’t worry.

Online playlist
Create and share the account for an online Pandora, Spotify or iTunes playlist. Here, you can add new songs you hear at a dance club or those that remind you of your partner. Think of the butterflies you’ll feel in your stomach when you see the queue has been updated. Adding songs to a shared playlist is a subtle way of telling your partner you’re reminded of them by little things like song lyrics.

Text message etiquette
It’s really easy to just shoot off a text message that says, “OK.” But what does that say to the person reading it? While you’re separated, take the time to send a thoughtful response. If your significant other texts you while you’re legitimately busy, send this message: “Hi sweetie, I’m in the middle of [insert activity] and can’t talk right now. I hope your day went well, I’ll [call/text] when I’m finished.” Be sincere, genuine and follow up when you say you will.

Pick up the phone
As a generation, we hardly ever have phone conversations, but you can’t listen to your loved one’s voice over Snapchats, texts or tweets. Suck it up and pick up the phone.

Don’t listen to naysayers
When you meet people at school and tell them you’re in a long-distance relationship, you’ll get a lot of feedback. Some people will say, “Oh, I tried that; it’ll never work.” If you have confidence in yourself and your relationship, everything will work out.

By Emily Gowdey-Backus