If you, like me, have one, or any number of best friends that are no longer right up the road, around the corner, down the street or anywhere in your general vicinity most of the time, then you know how I feel. Going from living within minutes of each other, to spread out across the state and country is most definitely not easy, but the friendships are 100 percent worth it. While it would be pretty convent to live close by, and to see each other every day like we used to, our bonds have continued to grow even stronger in spite of the distance, and we have become closer than we ever were.
1. Any time we spend together is more valuable.
Although the time we spend together is less frequent, it's more important. It's not spent on our friends or rambling or wondering what we should do. We can just sit and talk, no matter where it is, about our lives and just enjoy being together.
2. Visits to either places are an event to remember.
When we do get the chance to get together for a weekend at either one of our places, it's always a crazy time filled with lots of food, dance parties, little sleep and great times, like we never left. We meet and hang out with each other's friends, fill in the stories that just needed to be told in person in order to include emotion or whatever else it may be, and just be ourselves and enjoy the long awaited company.
3. FaceTime dates are a weekly, or even nightly, event.
Even though we talk every week, or even more, it always seems like we have hours of information to update each other on. Sometimes, it feels like we aren't even apart because of how much time we spend together (on Skype and FaceTime). Thank God for social media and these ways of communicating because it makes the distance so much more bearable.
4. You have someone to give you unbiased, honest advice about any situation.
I know I can always count on truthful opinions without judgments of any kind. I might get an eye roll, an "are you serious" or a five-minute pause while she laughs, but if I really need help with any situation in the chaos of a college life, I know I can count on the 100 percent truth, without a doubt.
5. We can share each other's new friendships and call them our own.
As we branch out into new crowds and meet new people, we've both formed new friendships. As we share these people with each other, we are introduced to an entire new group of people into each others lives. You best believe everyone I meet will know about my friends from home and vice versa because our friendship is so valuable to me.
6. It's practice for the real world.
Spending this much time apart in college has already prepared us for when we graduate and most likely will separate, anyway. Maybe one day we fulfill the dream of dominating a neighborhood and raising our kids as best friends, but until then we will have our fair share of practice on continuing to grow our friendship over the distance.
7. It's proof your friendship is everlasting.
When we've been separated for so long, since right after high school, we know how it goes. Our relationship has continued to grow and thrive, maybe stronger than it ever has, despite the distance. Now I know that wherever our lives may lead us, whether it's an hour or a continent away, we will make it through. No amount of miles can change the bond we have, and I am forever thankful for it.
