On this Valentine’s Day, it’s a good time to remind ourselves that there’s more to expressing love than a box of candy or a bouquet of red roses. As a travel nurse who’s away from loved ones for long stretches at a time, put a little extra creativity into your romantic relationships to keep the spark alive. Here are a few tips for your consideration:
- Communication is Key. Make it a priority to connect regularly by text, FaceTime, Zoom, Skype, or telephone. Work hard to stay positive and optimistic, and learn to compromise if points of contention arise.
- Let your love shine through across the miles. Whispering sweet nothings or reliving intimate memories can ignite a spark that will strengthen your bond. And remember to laugh! It’s well known that laughing together keeps relationships stronger and more intimate.
- If you’ve come off a particularly challenging shift, try to remain upbeat about your day without being falsely cheerful. Recount your experiences with your mate but don’t let the conversation devolve into a Debbie Downer moment. Maybe they’ve had a tough day, too!
- Surprise your partner with a meaningful gift (doesn’t have to be expensive) that reminds them of a special time together. Have it delivered on Valentine’s Day, then share a romantic glass of champagne or some chocolate covered strawberries over the internet.
- Write an old-fashioned love letter (on real paper, with ink!) telling your love how much they mean to you and why. It doesn’t have to be flowery or eloquent, just sincere and authentic. Put it in an envelope, spray on a bit of your favorite scent, and drop it in the snail mail with a SWAK (sealed with a kiss).
Not currently in a long-term romantic relationship but would like to bring some lovin’ into your livin’? Consider an online dating site. We know of at least two of our Freedom Healthcare travelers who met their forever loves online while on assignment, and that could happen to you, too!
Dating sites come in different flavors to suit every relationship aspiration, from casual dating to LTRs and marriage, so you’re sure to come across one or two that will boost your chances of meeting someone compatible. Some of the most popular are Hinge (“your last first date”), Bumble (women make the first move), Match.com (subscription required to match, browse for free), OKCupid (very inclusive of all romantic persuasions); eHarmony (the bottom-line objective is marriage), Christianmingle, JDate and Muslima (faith-focused dating), SilverSingles (dating over 50), and dozens more.
But like anything else online, dating sites come with cautionary notes. Scams and bots are everywhere, and while dating sites are vigilant to keep fraudsters away, some inevitably slip under the radar. So keep in mind the old adage about things that seem too good to be true, and apply your common sense to what you see online. And when meeting someone in person for the first time, make it in a public space and let a friend know where you will be and when you expect to return.