One table over at the Golden Turtle Vietnamese restaurant in Toronto, a young woman is slurping pho (salty Vietnamese soup) with her smartphone propped up against a bottle of hot sauce. ?We?ve been here before,? she says to the man displayed on her mobile?s screen. ?See?? she says, as she stands up and spins the phone around the room, displaying the restaurant?s interior through the phone?s camera.
When I tell this story to Martina Stritesky, who is currently dating a man from Tallahassee, Florida, she?s not surprised. ?We do that all the time,? she says, adding that, for her, video dinner dates tend to take place in the comfort of their homes. ?When we can?t share meals by [video] Skype, I?ll send him a picture of my plate. We even Skype cook!?
While exploring new restaurants is a big part of Stritesky?s relationship, other long-distance lovebirds stay connected by sharing video, texting, sending pictures and more with their mobile devices and laptops. Thanks to technological advances, there is virtually nothing that stops you from maintaining the flame ? or keeping in touch with family and friends ? wherever you are.
The Language of Love
According to waiit.com, a website for those in long-distance relationships, there are three Cs to consider in any virtual relationship: communication, commitment and clarity. Keeping tone and frequency in mind, a relationship can maintain and even grow by way of email, texting and instant messaging. Apps like WhatsApp Messenger (Android, BlackBerry, iPhone, Nokia; costs vary by platform), GTalk, Windows Live Messenger and Yahoo! Messenger allow you to chat instantly.
Likewise, social networks are key to keeping the flame flickering. After all, just as couples socialize together in person, it?s smart to socialize virtually, too. And for friends and family, virtual socializing allows couples to openly express their love ? writing on each other?s walls, commenting on photos, even blowing kisses to each other?s Twitter handles. (Try to keep those to a minimum.)
Show Me Love
Sometimes words don?t cut it when you are really missing your partner, and what?s needed is visual or auditory contact ASAP! That?s where video chatting comes in.
Apple?s FaceTime enables online computer-to-computer video chat or over Wi-Fi on devices such as iPhone and iPad. Purchase it at the App Store for a buck.
Another way to keep your cutie informed is by sending multimedia messages of photos, videos or even voice memos. If it?s touch that you?re craving, remember that ?sexts? are best sent over secure networks, such as BlackBerry?s BBM. Once a racy photo or text is sent to your partner?s device, only he or she can delete it, so save sexy time for in-person encounters or until you?ve established complete trust. It goes without saying, but no sexting on social networks, please. Let me say it again: never, ever tweet your intimate business (Anthony Weiner, we?re looking at you).
Apps-ense makes the heart grow fonder
Relationship Reminder
$1 | iOS
When you?re in love but apart, every moment counts. Let this app log your partner?s favourite things, which you can refer back to for gift-giving ideas or special occasions. Speaking of which, Relationship Reminder counts down to birthdays and anniversaries so you?re always one step ahead.
Perfect for: Mr. Forgetful
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Poynt
Free | AN, iOS, BB, Nokia, Windows 7
Manage your dates with one click. This app provides local listings, entertainment options, maps and weather, so whether you?re heading to your honey?s hometown or meeting in the middle, you can plan ahead and focus on one-on-one time.
Perfect for: Ms. Planner
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Florist Now
Free | iOS
Browse more than 15,000 local FTD florists with this app and send your partner a custom bouquet. View the arrangement virtually then order same-day delivery. You can even set reminders for personal occasions, too.
Perfect for: Getting out of the virtual doghouse
Source: http://www.connectedmagazine.ca/living/13639/long-distance-relationships/
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