from a distance
1. From a far way away. From a distance, it doesn't look like much. But when you get closer, it's quite spectacular.
2. With a level of separation or detachment. It was so nice to meet the artist in person after admiring his work from a distance for so long.
at/from a ˈdistance
from a place or time that is not near; from far away: She had loved him at a distance for years.