As someone who has had the same best friend since fourth grade, I can relate to the feeling you get when you know that they are far away. It sucks for a long time to know that your go to is a decent distance down the line, you won’t be able to see them as often as you used too. Instead of a drive up the street, you may be faced with a plane ride or a trip on the highway. But fear not, the givens below will help you get through the best friend blues.
1. No matter what you do, keep making plans!
I know it’s hard to do because obviously the two of you don’t see one another everyday, sometimes each other's schedules are a mystery and once solved, they conflict really bad. But be honest about your own plans, shoving other important things away to hang out with a friend is never the route you want to take. It doesn’t matter if your plans are one month away or twenty years away, it’s still a time with your better half.
2. If you ever feel down, remember that this is not forever…
Always keep in mind that this person is your better half, your other half, your best friend. The odds that you two have been through every fight and disagreement in the book is probably high. If you’ve roughed it out before, you can do it again with the enemy of distance. If you keep them in your heart, this shouldn’t be a problem. Don’t let miles get you down because they can’t keep you two apart.
3. FaceTime, FaceTime, FaceTime
I cannot stress this one enough. FaceTime as much as you can, whenever you are both free. If it’s on break during work or for five minutes while you take a break from writing that long awaited paper, whip out that phone and video chat. It helps when you can see their face and hear their voice. This will keep the connection strong even when their not present physically. Snapchat videos back and forth can be of value too as they are another way of video and audio centered communication.
4. Keep a special album featuring photos and videos of you two somewhere on your phone
If they are not there with you and you’re both tied up in busy schedules, it’s completely okay. No one ever said long distance friendships were a simple fight and keeping in contact can sometimes be a challenge. Life doesn’t just stop, there’s no pause button. So keep a sentimental collection of photos and videos on your phone of yourself and your best pal, they will be helpful to look back on if you’re having a rough day and need a quick pick me up without disrupting them and their schedule.
5. Know that one day, you’ll both have an emptier schedule to look forward too
If your friendship is strong enough to last a lifetime, then you and I both know that someday you’ll both be able to be comfortable making larger and more sorted out plans. Once they have a steady profession and you do too, the schedules will be more clear. Plus there won’t be any morning or night classes to work into the equation because you’ll both either be graduated or simply settled into adulthood. With that in mind, plans will be made easily and everything should fall into place.
6. Always make it appoint to spend special events with them and not miss out on anything crucial
The most important thing you can do when you're separated from your best friend is constantly remembering important dates. Remember their birthday and to shoot them a text, make plans to take them out for something, or send them a small trinket to show them that you care and know it’s their day. Same drill would go for holidays! A “Happy Thanksgiving” text can mean just as much as sending them a Christmas card in the mail. When you two do get together to celebrate whatever it may be trust me, it will be a good time.
7. Keep up on social media
A good idea would be to post a picture on Instagram of the two of you every few months to refresh your long distance friendship and show others that you two are still the best duo around since Lucy and Ethel. Or write them a nice Facebook post on their wall to just say hello. Putting your friendship on display is absolutely not necessary, but a nice sentiment.
8. Get friendship tattoos
This one is a bit radical if you're not crazy about getting ink on your body. However, this is a good thought to take into consideration. Just remember to get something that you both like. Don’t get something that is half of the other like a heart or parts of quotes that are supposed to go together. Though they can look nice together, what happens if you two do break apart someday (*gasp* knock on wood, KNOCK ON WOOD)... you would have this on your body forever so naturally you have to love it. At the end of the day, make sure it’s meaningful and a good link to your bestie.
9. Surprise them!
If they are your best friend, you definitely know their schedule. You probably know where they work, the address of the place, and the time they get out. So why not stop by to pick them up and do something? Even if it’s just to say hello, it’s a wonderful surprise when you see your best friend after so long. So set a plan to go see them, make their day!
10. Make the most of the time when you finally do meet up with them
Celebrate to the furthest extent when you finally see your other half. Go to a party, hang out at a local bar to get drinks, or just settle for sitting on the couch watching a movie. However you two describe a good time, work it! Be unified and have the best time possible because the visits with them are so rare.
I hope these tips helped some of you. I think I’ll FaceTime my best friend now. Rock on friends!
