When you're in a relationship with someone that lives close by, it's hard enough to keep the passion alive. But when it comes to a long distance relationship, it's even more difficult. When you're in the same room as someone else, a look can tell them that you want them. You don't really have that when you're hundreds of miles (or even more) away from them. This is something I have personal experience with, because my husband and I met when we lived 1000 miles apart and for the first 9 months our relationship was entirely online. And for the 9 months after that, we were only able visit each other 6 times for less than a week each time. We had to be creative and find ways to keep the passion alive in our relationship. Here are a few things that you can try if you are in a long distance relationship:

1. Try to send your significant other at least one picture a day.
When you are in a "real time" relationship, you probably see each other once a day, but you don't have that luxury in a long distance relationship. Instead you should each send a picture to the other person every day. It doesn't have to be a dirty one necessarily, but it certainly can be. It could be as simple as a picture of you getting ready in the morning. Not only does this let your significant other get a daily peek into your life, but it also reminds them that you are thinking of them.

2. Cybering isn't just for teenagers.
It's certainly not the same as having real sex, but it's better than the alternative. Talk dirty to each other while you pleasure yourself. It may feel awkward at first, but in the end it will be a lot more satisfying than doing it completely alone. Plus it's a lot easier to open up about your fantasies when you're not looking the other person in the eye. So if there's something you've been wanting to ask for but couldn't, try asking when you're talking online rather than in person.

3. When you think about them, tell them.
Whether it's a text, an email, an IM, or a phone call, if they cross your mind: let them know. You may think that it's obvious that you think about them everyday, but in a long distance relationship communication isn't one of the important things. It is the most important thing. Your significant other isn't a mind reader. If you don't tell them that they're on your mind, they won't know. Also, nothing feels better than knowing that the person you love is thinking about you.

4. Don't take anything for granted
Remember that everything you have together is precious and don't take one single thing for granted. I honestly think this is one of the biggest problems in all relationships, not just long distance ones. If you start to take things for granted, your relationship will quickly go downhill. When your partner does something that you like, tell them so they know. If you just act like they owe it to you to do things for you, whatever it may be, they may get resentful and stop doing those things.

Ultimately, the biggest thing that you must do to make a long distance relationship work is communicate. Yes, long distance is difficult and probably not for everyone, but every relationship can make it if all of the people involved are willing to work at it. Being 1000 miles away from my husband (my boyfriend at the time) was extremely difficult, but I would do it all over again because he means the world to me.