One of the advantages of using an online dating site is that you can meet a large number of singles who share your interests and passions. The disadvantage is that there is a good chance that when you do fall in love, your new flame will hail from another city, state, or even another country.

Although loving someone who lives hundreds or thousands of miles away can present unique challenges for a couple, surviving a long distance relationship can form a stronger and more secure bond. Here are five tips for creating a romantic atmosphere, even when you cannot physically be together.

1. Have a Date Night
One of the hardest things about being apart is not being able to do normal couple things. However, with a bit of creativity, you can still go on dates. For example, rent the same movie and watch simultaneously, while you talk together on the telephone or through instant messenger. Create a romantic mood by dimming the lights and lighting candles.

2. Play a Game Together
Couples that play together, stay together. Luckily, the internet provides a wide variety of games that you can play with each other. Fantasy games like Everquest, board games like Chess or Scrabble, and card games like Canasta or Poker are just a few of the choices available.

3. Fill a Calendar with Reminders
Let your sweetie know that youre always together in your thoughts by buying a day calendar and filling it with reminders. Mark special occasions like your anniversary, the next time youll see each other, and romantic holidays on it. On days in between, leave love notes and reminders of wonderful times youve had together. Have a calendar custom-made with pictures of you to make it even more romantic.

4. Give a Kiss for Each Day Youre Apart
To help make it easier to bear the time apart, send your lover a treat for each day that youre separated. A Hersheys Kiss, for example, or a box of love letters and poems, with a new note to open each morning will brighten your beloveds day. Surprise kisses are good, too tuck little notes in your sweethearts luggage or hide some in unexpected places around the house after a visit.

5. Dream Together
If you cant be together, dreaming about the time when you will be is a good substitute. Send your love an email each morning with a picture of a place where you would like to vacation together, or describe the date that you would like to have that night in detail. Compile a list together of the things that you would like to do, so that you can check them off when you are no longer separated.

Surviving a long distance relationship requires love, patience, and creativity. These tips will help you to spark your own ideas for ways to bring you and your sweetheart closer together, even when your bodies are far apart.