If your partner was with you in person, it's likely they'd meet your friends and family at some stage. Just because you're living far apart doesn't mean that your partner can't meet your loved ones at all. "Introduce them over Zoom, or invite everyone to take part in a fun group online activity such as a game, quiz, virtual escape room, or internet poker night," Fox says. "I love Jackbox's ridiculously silly digital group games, although they're best suited to strong English speakers." Doing so will play a huge role in making your relationship feel more real. "One of the reasons LDRs can feel less legitimate than standard relationships is because it's too easy for them to exist in a bubble, where nobody really gets to speak to and know your partner apart from you, and your romance feels strangely separated from the rest of your life," Fox continues. "Making your faraway lover part of your friendship group helps your relationship feel more secure and wholly integrated into your world."