We have all experienced long distance relationships at least once in our lives – this doesn’t just extend to romantic partners, but to our families and friends. The average American moves an average of 11 times in their lifetime, but even for the average non-American, they’ll likely move once for university, though that is largely temporarily, and then again when they find a job, or when they settle down. There are tons of reasons why people move away from their childhood hometowns, but one downside is that moving away means saying goodbye to the people that they love.
It’s fortunate that we have found ways to stay in touch with one another – long letters and care packages have helped relationships survive, if not thrive. But with the innovation of modern technology, there are so many other accessories to help bridge that distance.
Digital photo frames have become a popular gift for friends and loved ones who do not live in the same town. In fact, it is something that girlfriends may buy for one another as a novelty gift, but having one of these when a parent is working overseas and missing their family is an absolute privilege. Imagine heading home from a tiring day of work and seeing your husband or wife’s face with your children, beaming up at you from your mantlepiece. It’s a gift that will light up any lonely corner and remind the recipient that they are missed.
Simultaneously, being able to share photos as you take them with the person that you wish to share them with the most can also do wonders for your mental health. The disconnect that erodes our relationships largely exists in our own minds, we think that just because someone isn’t there for us, it means that their efforts in maintaining a relationship with us is waning because it is a factor of socailising. But while that might be true in real world situations whereby people have a choice whether to respond or react, it simply cannot be applied to long distance relationships, especially when there is a time difference. It is impossible to be there for someone when you are sleeping when they are going about their daily routine. With a digital photo frame, it eliminates the expectations of an instantaneous response because it isn’t a personal smartphone that they carry with them everywhere they go, but it is a part of their home, and something that they will look at when they have the opportunity to.
There is another novel invention that is popular between friends and lovers alike: friendship lamps. These lamps can be connected with up to as many lamps as you like, all over the world. This means that entire friendship groups may have one or a whole family spread across the continent could have one and when one lights up, they all light up. Every light up is a heartwarming reminder that they are being thought of, and that could make a difference, especially for those who are alone in a foreign country.
