Hey BLISS fam! I pray that you are fairing well during this unprecedented time. We had a 50/50 vote on Instagram on this blog’s topic versus another on singleness, but we will talk about this one first.
The follwing date ideas are for singles who are dating and couples who are in a relationship, but don’t live together yet (courtship, engaged). Upon researching this topic, I realized that a lot of these date ideas are really options for long distance couples.
Those are the real MVPs because they’ve been making dating-while-staying-at-home work for centuries. Many of us are dating while separate because, for now, we are adhering to stay-at-home orders while we pray for the COVID-19 pandemic to cease.
In spite of the global pandemic, singles are still interested in dating and maintain their relationships, and there are definitely some creative ways to doing that. Which of the following would you try?
Netflix and Quarantine Date
With the pandemic affecting the film industry, many major movies set to release on the big screen this season have either been moved to later dates or have been released online on streaming platforms or for digital download. You can schedule a date to watch a new movie or film you’ve been meaning to see.
Share your screen and watch the same movie or show with the Netflix Party feature, which allows you to have a watch party with others and chat during the movie or program. After the movie you can have a discussion on what you got from the film or share your favorite movie moments with each other.
#SocialDistance Dinner Date
This idea came from a viral video this week of a New Yorker who pursued his date who lived in the building across from him. The story seemed cute and heartwarming—something out of a movie! How can you and I do that? Well for one, your date doesn’t necessarily have to live across the street from you, all you need is some thoughtful creativity.
For instance, for the guys putting together the date, have food you’ll share on your date delivered to your date’s home, and you both share a mutual meal over FaceTime, WhatsApp or similar video chat platform. It’s not as in-person as a normal date over a meal, but it’s safe for social distancing and still allows you to spend some quality time with each other in real time. When we polled our BLISS readers on Instagram stories if they would go on a social distancing date, we had 85% who said “sure!”
In that case, what kind of social distance meal date would you have? I’m personally down for a good lunch date!
Romantic at heart
Calling on all the romantics! Take a note from the days of old (before the Internet) and send a note of appreciation or get-to-know-you letter to your date. This could be through the mail since the post offices are still operating at this time. In the note you can share a sweet word of encouragement, play 21 questions, share a story, etc.
This is an opportune time for delivery workers of food and other services. I’d recommend sending something thoughtful to each other, arranging with your note, to be delivered to their home the same day. There are plenty of options still on Groupon, from flowers to candy, for prices that won’t hurt your budget.
Bible Study Date
Whether on the phone or over a video chat, you can select a book or chapter in God’s word and dig in for Bible study. Share some encouraging scriptures with one another and how they have brought you through past seasons. Another option is to pick a devotional in the Bible app to do together. There are plenty of topics available to choose from and they can be 3-day increments or longer to stick to and discuss with each other.
You can add to the experience by creating a playlist of worship and praise music jams. If you’re looking for some good music, check out some Gospel and Christian genre playlists from COOL Worship, or on ArtSoul Radio.
Travel Date
This kind of date is for the travel lovers! Set a date with the theme about travel—whether in the past or in the future. One example is to use a video chat platform (Zoom or Google Hangout) to share your screen and showcase photos from your past travel adventures. Sharing your stories and lessons from travel can help your date get to know you and your personality more.
On the future travel plans end, you both can collaborate on a trip together for fun. You can plan on where to go or allow Google Earth to pick a random destination for you, then make the plans for your imaginary trip moving forward. What will you do? Well, keeping things holy, y’all, you can find what activities and adventures your destination offers. Who’s the more adventurous type? What would you end up learning about your date on a travel excursion?
Overall, whether over a reasonable social distance or in person, be consistent with checking in with each other and praying for one another in this time. For more date ideas for long distance dating, click here.
