When I was a senior in high school, I made the decision to leave my hometown and go to a school 700 miles away. At the beginning of my sophomore year, I studied abroad, crossing the ocean and spending a semester almost 4,000 miles from home. As a result, I think I've had more tearful goodbyes in the past three years than most people have in a lifetime. I live a long distance life, and this is what it has taught me.
1. Not all relationships or friendships are meant to span the miles.
Some people just cannot handle the distance. It's a simple fact. Some people need to see their friends or family every couple of days, not every couple of months. Some people don't want to live on their phones or social media in order to have constant contact. But that's okay. Not everyone is meant to go the distance, and that is just something I've learned with distance.
2. You learn a lot from the ones that do.
Each friendship in a long distance life has a "thing," and you get to learn what the "thing" is for each friend. Some friends you can go a few days without talking to and pick up right where you left off. With some friends, you Skype all the time, even if you're both doing separate things five minutes into the call. Other friends may have you sending random memes or posts, and others may be a combination of it all. Distance means you get to learn which friend is which, and you learn who will be by your side when you need it the most (even if they can't physically be by your side).
3. Good music is crucial for all the trips you take.
With visits home, to see friends, or to see family, a long distance life means a lot of time on the road (or in the sky if you have to fly). These trips can only be made bearable by a few things: the excitement of the destination, the person who comes with you, and the music. Good music is important - it can keep you awake during long drives, put you to sleep on long flights, or just keep your spirits up with a good sing-along. Without good music, those trips will be torture, and that does not help in a long distance life.
4. You learn a lot about yourself.
I've learned more about myself in the past three years of college because of distance than because of being at college. I've learned how long I can go without talking to my family before I miss them too much. I've learned what I need to do when something goes wrong at home, and I've learned what I need from my long distance friends to keep our friendships alive. Distance has taught me what I can and cannot handle, and I've learned that I can handle a lot.
5. The reunions are the best part.
The reunions make it all worth it. The run-and-jump hugs, the normal hugs, the stereotypical high-pitched screams, the smiles, and the nights spent catching up. Every time I leave, I remember there is a reunion on the other side, and it always gives me something to look forward to. The reunions remind me that these people on the other side of my phone are real, and they are always there.
Sometimes, the distance can suck. But it's taught me a lot, and I wouldn't want to live a life any other way.
