How does one keep the intimacy and love alive in a ldr?

My boyfriend (M20) and I (f20)just hit a rough patch in our relationship and he is going back home for the summer. This was a mistake I made and we agreed that we could work through this and continue our relationship. We are both finishing our sophomore year in college and I am very sad he has to go home but happy he will get to spend time with his family. I wanted to know from other couples who had done long distance, how did you guys make it work? What are some things you did to keep the spark alive?