Long distance friendships can be hard. You may not see them every day, but you'll always know you'll be there for each other. While the distance may be hard, you're always looking forward to the next time you'll see each other, whether it's in one of your hometowns, or in a new location altogether.
You’ll never forget the first time you met.
The author (left) with an Internet friend after having met for the first time
If you met your friend online, you'll know what I mean. In 2013, the summer after my senior year of college, I met one of my best friends on YouTube. After talking for several months, we finally decided to meet up at VidCon in 2014. It was life-changing — lots of screaming, and finally realizing that the person you've been talking to all this time is real.
You lose sleep talking to your friends.
The author (right) with a friend in Ireland (left) and an hour away (middle)
If you live on opposite ends of the Earth, the time differences can kill you. I have a few friends in the UK, and a lot of the time, one of us is staying up super late, whether it's midnight for me and 8 a.m. for him, or if it's 2 a.m. for him and 4 p.m. for me. Even though you're both losing sleep, it's always worth it.
Every time you get together is a good time.
The author and a friend at VidCon 2015.
The laughs. The inside jokes. The feel-good talks. They get to you. With all the good energy, it’s as if you were never apart.
Leaving each other is always hard.
The worst part about your time together is the inevitable end. One (or all) of you has to hop into a car or on a plane home. Tears are shed, and hugs are shared all around, as you all say goodbye. Even though it's heartbreaking at first...
It’s not “goodbye,” it’s “see you later."
The author and friends, after three years apart.
You will always make time for your friends in the future, whether it's one week, one month or even one year, you guys will be reunited. You'll have your memories, and each reunion will be just as good as the first, if not better.
To all the long-distance friendships, whether it's a long or short distance, you are all meaningful in someone's life.
