Heartfelt Ways to Express Love and Appreciation Long-Distance

About Miles McGuinness

Miles McGuinness is a copywriter at Brookdale. Originally from Ohio, he graduated from The Ohio State University with a double major in English and marketing. Prior to Brookdale, he worked in digital marketing for a major cleanup and restoration company. When he’s not reading or writing, he enjoys watching movies, trying new restaurants, traveling, and cheering on Cleveland sports.

Being far apart from friends and family can be hard, but staying in touch doesn’t have to be difficult. Here’s a list of thoughtful ways to stay connected with the people you love and appreciate most, no matter the distance.

Embrace Mail and Send a Card or a Care Package

These days, writing an actual card or a letter might feel like a lost art. But the physical act of dropping something in the mail, such as a handwritten note that simply says hello or thank you, could be the perfect way to remind someone you’re thinking of them. Whether you send a store-bought card or design a personalized one of your own, this tried-and-true method of communication is sure to bring a smile to the lucky recipient’s face. Similarly, sending a special package that includes treats, photos, stuffed animals or other special items that your loved one might enjoy, along with a handwritten letter, is a wonderful way to let them know you care.

Host a Virtual Party

This way of connecting is super-flexible: You can make hosting a virtual party as intricate or as simple as you choose. And the best part? You don’t have to worry about getting your home ready for guests. Think about what platform you want use for hosting, such as WhatsApp®, Zoom®, Microsoft Teams® or others, and send attendees the link in advance. If you’re throwing a themed party — something like “The Roaring Twenties,” for example — provide your guests with fashion tips for dressing and styling appropriately. And if you’re hosting an online movie-viewing party, make sure the media and tech you’re using are all ready to go beforehand. Other ideas for a virtual party are playing online puzzles with teams, using breakout rooms for a fun mystery game or having an all-out trivia bash.

Set Up an Online Lunch or Dinner Date

If you’re looking for something more personal than a group gathering, think about a one-on-one online lunch or dinner date. And don’t let the terminology throw you: A “date” doesn’t have to be romantic. It could be getting together with your best friend who lives across the country or maybe an old acquaintance you recently reconnected with on social media. Just pick a day and time, send your invitee a meeting invite, plan ahead for whatever fun food options you want to include (a full meal, a bowl of popcorn, takeout or whatever else you might enjoy) and prepare to catch up.

Send Voice Memos and Texts

Suppose you don’t have the time to coordinate a party or an online meet-up: Enter the voice memo. Whether it’s via an iPhone, Android or some other smartphone or device, sending a voice message to your favorite person can be a fun, entertaining way to stay in touch. But don’t sweat about what to say — a quick update on how your day is going or a friendly check-in is enough.

When you’re thinking about texting, take the pressure off by reminding yourself that you don’t have to wait for the “right” moment or day to reach out. If you’ve been meaning to message someone, just do it; not every text needs to be major. Are you eating a tasty lunch? Take a picture of your plate. Hear a funny joke this morning? Pass it along! In other words, it’s absolutely okay to keep your messages short and sweet. What matters most is that you’re investing time and thought into the relationship and letting the other person know you’re thinking about them.

Schedule Regular Phone Calls

While it may seem old-fashioned, you might be surprised at just how effective a regularly scheduled phone call can be. Sending a text may technically be “easier,” but sometimes there’s nothing like quality one-on-one time and actually hearing the other person’s voice while you catch up. Or go one step further and make it even more personal with FaceTime® or another video chat platform so you can see each other’s lovely faces and expressions as you talk.

Hold a Virtual Book Club

You’ve just finished a great novel, and from the characters to the setting to the plot, you can’t wait to tell someone else about it! If you’re looking to connect with faraway friends over reading, why not try a virtual book club? Whether it’s discussing each chapter over the phone once a week or a monthly virtual group session with in-depth literary analysis and commentary, it’s a perfect way to stay engaged with close-knit chums through spirited discussion. And it doesn’t have to be a book club — there are a host of different types of clubs you can participate in together virtually. From cooking to watching movies, you don’t have to be in the same place at the same time to have the time of your life, report back to the group about how things went or just share your thoughts on something new you’ve discovered.

You Can Stay Close Together, Even When You’re Apart

As you can see, there are many different methods you and those you care about can use to stay connected. So, stop the second-guessing, consult the list above for ideas on how to get started and surprise a special person in your life today by reaching out in a thoughtful way to let them know they’re on your mind.