Surviving a Long Distance Valentine's Day

Loving across the miles isn't always easy. Being apart on a holiday like Valentine's Day can put even more stress on a relationship, but you needn't despair. Absence can make the heart grow fonder if the love shared is strong to begin with, and though being apart may be difficult, there is no reason for an irreparably broken heart this Valentine's Day due to the strain of long distance. Here are five Valentine's Day ideas for long distance relationships:

Enlist help. Typically having a great accomplice to making your Valentine's Day go more smoothly is a wonderful plan. Choose a close friend and call for an anti-Valentine's day pact. Girls can head for a guy-less girl's night out while guys head for a non-girl evening to help keep your minds off the fact that you are apart on such a highly-advertised holiday. Agree that you will have a single Valentine moment, if possible, a few minutes prior to midnight using an online chat program.

Send a special delivery. Though you may not be able to reach your sweetheart this Valentine's Day, few businesses are as far reaching as the network of flower delivery companies. Choose an arrangement that expresses how you feel about the one you love, paying special attention to preferences and tastes. If shopping for a boyfriend, send your guy a basket of cookies, balloons, or fresh gourmet chocolate.

Construct a Video. Whether you use Youtube to say what you need to say or compile and burn a special romantic DVD, offering your sweetheart a movie to express just how you feel is a great comfort when you can not be together. The piece can be as simple as a slideshow or as ornate as a compilation of home movies. Be sure to include a written note to express how much you wish that the two of you could be together.

Make a Book. Using specialty photo gift printing sites, an individual can construct a hardcover scrap book and add personal annotations to each of the images. The captions can tell your story, offering a beautiful keepsake that will bring comfort and love across the miles for years to come. There are many options and price ranges available from tiny portable booklets to large coffee table sized books.

Video Chat all Day Long. When possible, plan a video chat Valentine's Day. A few days before Valentine's Day, compile a shopping list including all the things you would share if you were together. Make it fun - include items like chocolate chip cookies, a particular romantic DVD, a box of Chinese food, Necco sweet hearts, etc. Plan to be online together all day long, sharing poetry, watching the same movie at the same time, etc. The only thing missing will be the touch of each other's hand and the goodnight kiss.

Being apart is never easy, especially on a holiday, but there is no reason why you can't make it a memorable experience. Consider at least taking the time to text one another. If your loved one is serving in the military, consider writing a one page letter each hour and sending them out the next morning. Remember, most of the time separation is only a temporary challenge and soon you will be in each other's arms again. Have a lovely Valentine's day.