Text Conversation Ideas for the Beginning of a Long-Distance Relationship

Staying connected in a long-distance relationship can be challenging. The distance and lack of contact can cause a couple to slowly drift apart. The good news is that nowadays you can communicate with your partner in many ways, even if he is miles away. Text messages are convenient and inexpensive -- and messaging throughout the day can make you feel closer and make the distance seem more bearable.

Being far away doesn't allow your partner to become fully involved in your life. She doesn't have the opportunity to accompany you on your daily activities, hang out with your group of friends and witness your regular routines. To maintain a feeling of closeness, send frequent texts about what you are doing. Be very descriptive and tell your partner all the details so she feels that she is involved in your everyday life. A study published in the March 1997 issue of "Personal Relationships" found that although long-distance relationships are not significantly different to proximal relationships in terms of affection, closeness and nuturance, the missing pieces are the everyday companionship and descriptive self-disclosure.

Although text messaging is a great way to communicate with your partner, it doesn't completely simulate physical closeness, especially when you both take a long time to answer each other's texts. Establish a set time where you will both completely focus on communicating with each other to simulate being geographically close, recommends psychologist Susan Krauss Whitbourne on "Psychology Today" online. Supplement your texting with video chat dates or use video technology on your phone to have more face-to-face contact. Build up the excitement during the day by texting your partner things such as, "Can't wait to see you later today."

Show your partner that, although you are far apart, he is still on your mind throughout the day. Check in on him throughout the day by asking questions such as, "How is your day going?" or "How was your meeting?" Remember important dates, interviews or projects, and make it a point to ask your partner how it went. Send messages showing how much you appreciate having him in your life. Send a "thank you" message when he does something nice for you, or just thank him for being there for you when you need him.

Feel involved while keeping it playful and light-hearted by sending each other funny and interesting texts. Send jokes, pictures or amusing stories that you come across during the day. Take advantage of your phone camera and send pictures of your delicious lunch or even just a selfie. These kinds of texts keep the conversation going throughout the day and will give you a sense of being more present in each other's lives.