virtual valetines

We’re all hoping that 2021 will be a better year than the last one, but nothing happens overnight. Valentine’s Day is shortly around the corner. It’s a day where couples normally itch for quality time together at home or out on a date, and for most people this year, that probably won’t - or at least, shouldn’t - happen. Not being able to see loved ones in person can be challenging, and sometimes it can put a strain on your relationship. If this is happening to you, I understand wanting to spend the day together. Yet being apart does not have to ruin your Valentine’s this year, or any date you want to have with a partner when you are unable to meet up in person. 

My partner and I have been dating for just over 6 months. Sometimes we are able to meet up in person as he gets regularly tested for Covid-19 through our school, but when he is with his family, the risk to either of our families is too great. We had to celebrate our first major anniversary apart. We both thought this would be hell. Even though we started dating before being able to meet up in person, both of us have physical-touch and quality time together as our main love-languages. To both of our reliefs, our date-night was really fun! I sent him a dessert set, and we ate desert together over Zoom. He also ordered me flowers, so I put them in the frame too. 

Figuring out how you want to celebrate can be difficult. My partner and I decided on a more traditional, romantic-type date to mark the occasion, because we mostly have informal calls and binge-watch tv shows on Teleparty. If that type of traditional date is common for you, figuring something different that both you and your partner may enjoy will help make the occasion memorable. Here are some of my favorite ideas for Virtual Valentine’s (or other occasions) dates!

• Romantic meal:  Share either a nice dinner or dessert that can be ordered or prepared by both parties. Dress up, get flowers, have a nice drink (if it is legal or you are given parental consent), light those candles. Be as fancy as you want. 

• Movie night: If you and your partner both like watching movies and aren’t tired of streaming, finding a sweet romance film can be the perfect Valentine’s date. Teleparty is a chrome extension that allows multiple users on different devices to watch the same show or film in sync, through Hulu, Disney+, Netflix, and HBO. If romance is not your jam, you can choose any film or show that’s right for you and your date. 
• Game night: Game night with two people isn’t always easy, especially online, but it can definitely be done. There are online games that only require two people, games that only need pen-and-paper, puzzles that can be solved together, and other games that can be played just by talking! Some games like getting-to-know-you games are perfect for early in a relationship.​
• Cooking/baking party:  If you both like or want to try cooking or baking and have the space and materials necessary, follow a recipe together and video chat in the background. If both parties are confident in their cooking, then you can even cook your meal for a dinner date! 
• Arts and crafts:  Sometimes, doing arts and crafts is the perfect way to relax and unwind, and get comfortable with a partner. Painting, drawing, following along to a Bob Ross video, making jewellery, using yarn, or anything else you have the materials for. 
• Museum tours:  The silver lining of a global pandemic includes being able to look inside the Louvre from an entire ocean and continent away. Many museums have virtual tours now, and visiting one together can be a nice and inexpensive alternative to see exciting exhibits and learn together. 
• Concert streaming:  For the music lovers, finding virtual concerts is now easier than ever! Music can bring people together and form cherished memories, and not being in-person doesn’t diminish this. 
• Nature walks:  If both people can safely get outdoors, go for a walk while on call. Send photos or videos of your surroundings to each other, and chat. If social distancing is possible when needed, this can even be done in person if you are close enough to each other! 

Hopefully, you and your Valentine date are able to make the most of the day! Staying apart from each other has been exhausting, but it definitely has forced me to find joy in activities I otherwise wouldn’t consider. And remember, no two couples are alike, and you and your partner get to decide what your romance looks like. As long as everyone is having a good time - and hopefully able to have some conversation - it doesn’t matter if a date is “conventional” or not. You give it its meaning. 

Love well, and Happy Valentines!

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Ina

(They/Them) Ina loves writing articles and uses their love of writing to reflect on their own experiences, find what they can learn from them and share this with others.
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