Copyright timesnownews
Long–distance relationships used to feel like a test. Now, they feel like a rhythm. When I first stumbled into mine almost three years ago, I imagined endless dramatic reunions and long phone calls. What I did not expect was how ordinary, soft, and real it would become. Somewhere between video calls and two time zones, my partner and I built our own version of dating. We did not just stay connected; we created something of our own, within the virtual dating culture. Honestly, it is not just us. More couples are dating through screens, across cities, countries, and continents. And instead of treating it like a temporary fix, we have all started treating it like a proper way to love someone. It turns out romance does not need a table for two. Sometimes it just needs good Wi–Fi, synced apps, and a Delivery order that arrives at the same time. There is something strangely cosy about a movie night on FaceTime. We pick a film, hit play together, and suddenly we are sharing reactions, pausing to talk, laughing at the same scenes. It feels almost sweeter than being in the same room, because you are choosing to be present, even when distance makes it inconvenient. Food has become a love language, too. We send each other dessert when one of us has had a tough day. We try the same restaurant from our respective cities and compare notes like two critics on a date night series. Once, we ordered matching subs just so we could feel like we were eating the same meal. Silly, perhaps. But love is always a little silly when it is true. And the rituals… they are the glue. Morning voice notes. A goodnight call, even if it is just two minutes. Sharing photos of our coffee, our breakfast, our walks. Sending outfits for approval. Doing a skincare routine together while chatting half–asleep. There is comfort in these tiny, repeated moments. They turn a digital connection into something living and intimate. Virtual dating has taught me that time matters more than proximity. That romance is not measured in fancy plans but in consistency, effort, and a willingness to show up even when you cannot physically be there. It has also made real dates feel so much more special. When we finally meet, nothing is taken for granted. Hand–holding feels brand new. Sitting in silence feels like a luxury. A regular day starts feeling surreal. People often ask if being in a long-distance relationship is difficult. Of course it is. There are days when you ache for closeness, when video calls feel like a poor substitute, when you want nothing more than to sit beside them and not speak. But there is something incredibly grounding about loving someone across distance and time. You learn patience. You learn presence. You learn to communicate. Most of all, you learn that a real connection is not limited by geography. Virtual date culture is not a consolation prize. It is a modern, thoughtful way of loving. And if anything, it proves that in a world full of noise and distraction, choosing someone and building routines around them is one of the most romantic things you can do. Now, screen or no screen, that is commitment. And yes, I am already planning our next virtual date. Same meal, same time, same silly smile through the camera. If anything, all this has taught me one thing: that distance definitely makes the heart grow fonder.
