Most of us may have a friendship that’s so special to us. But for some of us in that special friendship, they may be long distance. Being in a long-distance relationship is one of the most painful but amazing friendships you can be in. You don’t get to see your best friend for so long, and that the only way you’d be able to be by their side is by texting or just video chatting with each other for hours you’d never imagine.
My best friend and I, we’re literally on the opposite coasts of each other. She lives in North Carolina, and I live in California – Colorado (home and school). The other friend, however, does live in California, but we live on the other ends of each other (San Francisco and Los Angeles). It’s difficult being there for each other when we need to be. When other people are cuddling up to their friends next to one another, we’re talking over the phone. When people go out to say that they’re staying over at their best friend's, we’re texting each other. And when friends say, “my best friend planned the best surprise birthday party ever," we’re struggling as to seeing when our shipment for each other will come in to give them their present from our heart. It’s hard enough being states away from each other, but for everything that we could do together, it makes it even harder. But being long distance actually can do so much. It leads up to the moment that you’ve been waiting for; seeing each other in person.
In 2015, my best friends and I met in Cancun. My family and I were headed over there to meet our friends for a small get-together and one of my parents had a friend who invited their family and brought along their cousins with them. When I first met them, I’d be lying to you if I said I did not feel intimidated. Both of them intimidated me and it was because of the strong eyebrow game. I kid you not, it was their eyebrows that were so on fleek it kind of made their RBF so strong. I also thought that she was younger than me; and that my dear audience members is a lie. The one from North Carolina is one year older than me, however, she and I are in the same year for school. The other one, the one from California as well, however, I thought she was older. She was younger than me by a year.
We both got to meet each other at dinner and once after having dinner together with some small talk, we got close to each other. From then on, we talked and talked, and by the time we had to part from each other, I’d say I wasn’t crying but deep down, we all knew I was inside. It was hard for me to break away from this friendship. I’ve never had the chance to feel this connected with someone, and after meeting her, it felt like something had changed. I finally found the person who can truly understand me for who I am and love me for me. But knowing me, I started feeling anxious thinking that she didn’t really like me. But after spending that much time together and sending each other such weird Snapchats, I realized that they might be the girlfriends that I’ve always wanted.
They were the ones I can see myself staying in a room with and just have our random Netflix relaxing nights just watching shows; or maybe even watching our DVR in the living room because we both were busy and wanted to catch up with each other. I’ve never had the chance to feel like this with someone before, and after meeting them, I felt like I finally may have found the girls I can call my best friends. They felt like a sister to me that I could come to them for anything, and because of that, I was lucky enough to be able to have the greatest memories that I hold in my heart.
When I feel down, I look at our photos and think of how lucky I am to have them in my life. And when I do see them, it’s as if our emotions that were held in are finally being exploded in a bomb and tears and laughs and happiness can finally come out to show how much we missed seeing each other.
Being in a long-distance relationship can be hard. It really can, and especially if that one person of yours that you hold so close to you is states away and there’s nothing that can be done -- it makes it even more difficult. It may not be the same as if I were talking to someone in person, but the struggle of not being able to see each other makes the friendship stronger. If you continue giving it some love and some care, the friendship will truly grow. It’s as if the friendship is a flower. You have to start it somewhere and continue watering it with care and love. The more care and love you show to your best friend, the more beautiful the flower can become. Being in this relationship has given me the opportunity to take a chance on anything.
As long as I can show her the love that she’s given me, and that she continues supporting me in any way she can, it’s the thought that continues making this friendship grow. I may not be able to see them every day, or be with her once we wake up, but I know that I am in their hearts, and they're in mine. That’s all that is needed; nothing more and nothing less.
If you have that one special someone that you’d love calling your best friend, give them a call if you’re not with them. Text them and tell them you love them and thank them for being such a meaningful person in your life. And if you are with them, give them a hug and pamper them for the reasons that they should be pampered. A wise person has told me this once: "Never leave your friends for the other relationships because when those relationships break, who will you go to now?"
