How to Celebrate Valentine’s Day Long-distance?

Jasmine Shrestha

From what I’ve seen and heard, long distance relationships, while it may strengthen the bond between the couple, seems quite difficult to manage at times. It is perhaps most difficult when the calendar hits February, the month of romance. Being an international or residential student in AUW, it’s not always possible to celebrate 14th of February, Valentine’s Day, with your partner, in person. Still, as long as there are certain ways to celebrate the day, you need not worry.

For residential students at AUW, being awake at 12:00 am might not be particularly challenging. So, in order to make your partner feel special, you can always be the first one to send some cheesy text messages or videos to express your love towards them. You can even plan out some sort of midnight surprise that can make your partner feel happy and loved, but do make sure that your partner will be awake during the surprise (speaking from experience).

Having a Facetime dinner date can also be interesting as it’s not often that you get to eat dinner together. A huge time difference might be an issue here. In this case, you can try a Facetime date with some of your favourite foods to eat and double the enjoyment of the date. For this, you might want some small, private area for yourself. The cosy space that you have for yourself in your room always works. You can decorate the area and make it visually appealing.

Another possibility is to watch a movie together. You can share your favourite clips, songs, and responses to the chosen movie.

If you do not want to do any of the above, then try a long conversation with your partner about the memories that you have created together. Or talk about anything at all. Both of you can take turns to share your part of the story of how the two of you met. This might even lead you to learning something you might not have known before.

It’s great if both of you get your share of surprises for the day, but it’s fine if you don’t. You can always try next year or a year after. Even if you do not get a chance to talk to your partner and celebrate the day together in some way, don’t be disheartened. I’m pretty sure that you are surrounded by other people that you love and care about equally. Love is not a feeling confined to your partner, so celebrate with other loved ones.

There is no guarantee that you’ll get to celebrate the day together, year after year. Consider the graduating seniors: next year, all of them will have dispersed into different crowds during this time of the year. Even the juniors might not get to celebrate this day together with their loved ones at AUW. We never know. The important thing is that there isn’t only one day for you to share your love; every day is a chance for you to spread love and happiness to your partner and the people you love. So spread love, and Happy Valentine’s Day.