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Keeping Love Alive in Lockdown

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Welcome to Romancing the Plague: Creative COVID Dating Ideas, the new hotspot for people searching for fun new ways to keep their relationship alive and well during an epidemic. Good, Old-Fashioned, Social Distancing "Absence makes the heart grow fonder."  Writing romantic letters, sending care packages, composing love poems, and pining   intensely  from hundreds of miles away... lovers in the old days certainly knew how to keep the flame alive despite separation. But they've got nothing on us! Love in the Time of Corona "Necessity is the mother of invention." Some of us are just getting started, crushing on that certain someone from a distance; some are dating purely online, or in person with masks, or limiting it to the outdoors, and/or six feet apart. Some couples are quarantining under the same roof. But no matter our social distancing comfort level or relationship status, all of us face the frustrating challenges of trying to develop and grow our romantic r

Taste of Freedom

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 Now that many venues have re-opened and people are beginning to get vaccinated, more people are looking for fun dating ideas that can get them out of the house, but still maintain a level of social distancing with the general population. A perfect date to celebrate being vaccinated or to get back out into the world in a safe way is taking your date to a wine, beer, or whiskey tasting. Find a venue who provides spacious outdoor seating and will bring the flights to you so that you do not need to stand side-by-side at a bar with other guests. Call ahead to see if you need to make a reservation and to find out if outside food is allowed. If so, bring a picnic or take-out. You might even consider studying the flight menus ahead of time and bring pairing food items to try with the tastings. If you are looking for a winery, look for one close to a scenic hiking area or park where you both can walk around together afterward. If it's in a city, plan a walking tour of the street art or go

Dating While Vaccinated

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With more and more of us getting the vaccine, it's exciting to imagine going on normal dates again soon and becoming more intimate with that special person we became close to during the pandemic. But it's important to stay vigilant. Not everyone is getting vaccinated at the same time and because the vaccines are given in two doses, those folks will only be partially vaccinated until they can receive their booster shot. Experts encourage us not to alter our safety habits we developed during quarantine any time soon, even when we and/or our partners get vaccinated. we still need to wear mask and social distance to keep ourselves, our date, and our community safe. 

Romantic Shot in the Arm: Vaccination Date

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 You got an appointment for the vaccine shot and you’re excited. Soon your COVID dating restrictions and romantic social distancing will be a thing of the past. Yay! Whether you and your date are getting your shots together or at different times, don’t miss the chance to turn this special medical appointment into a fun date opportunity.   Together Plan ahead! Get some special take-out for a picnic or eat at your favorite open-air dining venue ahead of time or right after. Don’t forget the bubbly! Take photos of each other (maybe bring cute band-aids for your arms) and together to remember this day. Write out fun dates and places you want to go together when you both get the “all clear” and put them in a special jar so when this is all over, you can take turns choosing a date from the jar and catch up on the fun you were missing.   Apart Take turns playing Nurse when you each get your vaccine shot. Sometimes there are side effects where the patient experiences slight f

Fun Foraging

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Spring fever during the pandemic drives many people outdoors for hiking and picnicking dates, which are always fun, but not exactly unique. Want to add another element of fun and creativity to your day in the great outdoors? Try foraging! Grab a handy guide to edible plants in your area, or find one online that you can take with you. There are even apps that will help you identify a plant using a photo from your phone. A popular item for foraging during springtime is the morel mushroom. Wild ginger, sassafras, mint, and berries are also fun to gather. Check out what is common in your area and season and plan ahead. But even if you return with empty baskets, it's the thrill of the hunt that will make this date exciting and fun.

Jamie & Jade: A Pandemic Romance

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Jamie knew there was something special about Jade even before Jamie found out that they shared the same sense of humor and values and were interested in similar shows. Something about Jade’s eyes in their photos made Jamie want to see where this might go. But COVID. While some people they knew had received the vaccine, Jamie and Jade were not eligible yet. But Jamie had read about some fun, creative ideas for “dates” that could be done from a distance, so after getting to know Jade over zoom, text, and phone calls, Jamie took the plunge and decided to send them a little surprise to let them know they were enjoying their time together-apart. Jade was so thrilled that Jamie had been thinking of them and taken the time to do a little something special, that they reciprocated with their own creative surprise. As Jamie and Jade continued their casual surprises to one another, they became aware of their growing mutual fondness. One day Jade suggested that they try meeting in real life

Frugal Fun: Cheap Thrills During COVID

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  During COVID, many of us are having to tighten our belts and pinch our pennies, but an inexpensive date doesn’t mean we can’t still have an amazing experience making fun or romantic memories with our special someone. We’ve collected a round-up of the best ideas for a little frugal fun! Whether you’re a busy parent trying to make ends meet for your family, or you and your partner just want to do something casual and low budget—there’s something here for everyone!   Seventeen Magazine knows that teens are often strapped for cash, but that doesn’t mean teens have to stay at home when what everyone really needs during the pandemic is to connect. Here’s some interesting ideas that will keep you and your crush connected and having fun.   Fabulously Frugal has inexpensive date ideas galore—105 of them to be exact! See which ones are right for you.   Thrifty Frugal Mom is all about stretching that dollar while getting the most fun out of life. Check out their ideas for great dat

Romantic Game Night

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Bored with board games? Spice up your date night at home with these creative new twists on some familiar games to transform an ordinary, cheap, date night at home into a romantic and sexy experience.   Start Out Sweet Chocolate Checkers Dust off your old checker board and replace the pieces with chocolates. When you win one of your opponent’s pieces, victory will be sweet as it melts in your mouth. Candy Chinese Checkers Lose your marbles and use your favorite candy pieces, like M&Ms, instead! If you get hungry, feed each other the pieces.   Foreplay Games Naughty Scrabble Only naughty words allowed!   Exploring Candyland or Chutes & Ladders With a marker, replace the tasks or directives (or write on certain squares) with your own flirty or suggestive tasks. See where you end up!   Strip Chess When you take their chess piece, you take a piece of their clothing along with it.   Let’s Get Physical Pleasure Pictionary Who needs paper? Draw on