Long-distance romance and closure from husband's death

Skype’s official shutdown on May 5, 2025, the world said goodbye to one of the most iconic communication tools of the early internet era. Over the course of more than two decades, Skype enabled millions of people across continents and time zones to remain in touch, not only to communicate, but also to love, grieve, and heal. While video chatting is now part of everyday life, for a generation of users, Skype wasn’t just a piece of software. It was a witness to long-distance love stories, tearful goodbyes, and moments of emotional closure that would otherwise have never happened.

One of the most memorable long-distance love stories tied to Skype is that of Elizabeth Schunck and David Rees. Their journey began on an anonymous chat platform, but it was Skype that brought them closer in a way no email or text ever could. Living on separate continents — Elizabeth in the United States and David in Wales — their bond deepened through nightly Skype calls. They would eat together, laugh at each other, and even fall asleep with the phone on. “Skype became our home,” Elizabeth recalled in an NPR interview. "It was where we really lived as a couple," she said. Eventually, David proposed during a Skype video call, and Elizabeth moved to Wales to begin a new chapter of life. They married and began building a future together. But their time was cut tragically short when David passed away suddenly. In the wake of her grief, Elizabeth found solace in the digital remnants of their love — the archived messages, the screenshots, and the saved video recordings of their time together. “Those Skype calls were more than just conversations. She stated, "They were our love letters, our memories, and our story." “Replaying them helped me say goodbye.”

The story of Elizabeth is just one of many. Skype users all over the world are sharing similar stories of love found, lost, and remembered. Another heartbreaking tale comes from Megan, who was in a long-distance relationship with Gabe, a man she met in a gaming community. They communicated almost daily for nearly two years, primarily via Skype. Megan and Gabe developed a strong emotional bond despite the fact that they had never met in person. They celebrated birthdays, comforted each other through tough times, and planned to meet in real life. Then, without warning, Gabe passed away from a sudden illness.

The loss was devastating. Not only did Megan struggle with grief, but she also needed to be validated. She was surrounded by people who were unable to comprehend how she could mourn someone she had never met in person. But her connection with Gabe was as real and powerful as any traditional relationship. “Skype gave us a space to be vulnerable, to love and support each other. She declared, "It was real." “And my grief is real too.”

Stories like Elizabeth’s and Megan’s speak to the power of digital spaces in forming and nurturing relationships. At a time when technology often gets blamed for isolating people, Skype was a reminder that it could also bring us closer in profound ways. Whether it was a soldier talking to their spouse from a war zone, a student calling their parents from a foreign country, or a couple maintaining love across oceans, Skype made the impossible possible.

Skype was revolutionary when it was at its best. It was more than just a convenience. It gave long-distance lovers a shared presence, allowed families to observe children's development, and brought faces to voices. Even the most moving events in life, like marriage proposals, farewells to hospitals, and final farewells, were influenced by it. In fact, for many during the COVID-19 pandemic, Skype and similar platforms were the only way to stay connected, mourn together, or say goodbye to loved ones.

Now, with Skype’s discontinuation and the rise of platforms like Zoom, WhatsApp, and Microsoft Teams, the app may seem outdated. However, its emotional legacy cannot be matched. Skype was the first tool that normalized video calling for the masses. It existed prior to the widespread use of smartphones, the prevalence of remote work, and the rise of social media. As people bid farewell to the app, they’re also reflecting on what it represented — human connection in the digital age. Skype was not perfect, but it was pioneering. Through a screen, it allowed people to stay close, fall in love, and even find closure. And in doing so, it changed lives.

Therefore, despite the fact that Skype's servers have ceased to function, its echoes are still present in the memories it contributed to the creation of. Skype was present in every pixelated bedtime story, every grainy video proposal, and every whispered farewell across oceans. It was more than a tool. It was part of our lives.

Skype, goodbye. Even when letting go was inevitable, we are grateful that you helped us see the faces we missed and hear the voices we loved.