Disclaimer: This isn't just your typical, I've-graduated-high-school-and-we're-being-separated-post. This is a true tale of a friendship that has stood the test of time for almost 22 years and has survived many obstacles. So, in honor of her birthday (October 1st), I thought I would compose this...
Back-story:
My Best Friend Erin and I have been a part of each other's lives as long as we could remember: Her mother and my mother met in elementary school and then two decades down the road and a few years later, by fate or the Grace of God, they were both pregnant with baby girls in 1994. For 13-14 years we grew up in the same hometown (here in Monroe), got kindergarten shots together, played soccer together, went on family trips together, and starting in pre-k and then again in 3rd grade. We even went to the same schools as each other. Heck, I’m already lined up to be the maid of honor at her wedding in May. Practically inseparable. 
She transferred schools and states in the middle of 8th grade, and that was a tough transition for the both of us: For her, because it was a new start and a new place where she didn’t know anyone and for me because it kind of felt like a loss. High school was not as easy for me as it is for most, and in little bitty Monroe, especially at a school where individuality isn’t as encouraged as it should be. But, we both powered through it, and our time apart was good for the both of us. They say absence makes the heart grow fonder, and I think our situation fits that. Despite the distance, we have always remained close friends. Here are six things you learn when your best friend goes to a different college:
1. The curriculums of the other person’s school.
College ain’t easy. Whoever said it was, I’d love to borrow their brain, finances, and time management skills for at least a day. So, over the years we’ve called/texted each other to discuss what our schedules were and what finals were a breeze and which ones we were nervous for. And our latest school-related topic: the “joys” of student teaching… Which brings me to my next point: when we first started our college journeys we were in two different majors and now we are both Education-based… do I see personality cross-over? Hmmm…
2. She’s not a 15-minute drive away for whenever I have a broken heart or need help picking out an outfit.
This has probably been the hardest thing about the distance for me. Sure, I have other friends here, but Erin and I have been friends for so long that I don’t even have to say anything – all she needs is a look to know something’s up. She knows just what to say and ALWAYS has the best advice. It’s also not the same not having her here to help me get ready for a date, or a night out, or dressing up for football games together – your best friend is the person who’ll never tell you that you’re fat and will instead help you find something that looks flattering and makes you feel beautiful and confident instead; however, I actually got to experience this situation firsthand this summer when I went to visit, during her 'bridal appointment' to look at bridesmaid dresses.
3. Not being able to share a dorm/live together.
A lot of best friends fantasize (some actually get to) about getting to live together as adults. Well, for us, that was not an option. However, I’ve gotten the pleasure of hearing funny roommate stories from her, which saved me and my parents a lot of money so it’s not that bad to deal with. 4. The new friends they meet/make.
I would say another common trait we share is that we’re both not super social butterflies – we were both raised to be kind to people we don’t know and be confident when meeting new people, sure, but we’re both kind of like extroverted-introverts: we both have small circles. While I never got the pleasure to meet some of her roommates and other friends since we’ve been apart, she did get to meet some of mine last year…Erin came in as a surprise for my 21st Birthday (best present ever if I may add). It was really awesome to have her there with some of my new friends and our old friends, and let me tell you something about having someone you’ve known for years meet other people in your life – they know how to spot 'red-flags' when they see one. I am telling y'all, BFFs are like your mother in that sometimes they know you better than you know yourself.
5. This topic plays off of #2: Big important details sometimes have to wait months to be discussed.
Also another hard one for me to come to terms with at times. From age 18 to your early twenties can be hard, good, painful, interesting, adventurous, exciting, scary--all of the above…and the things you experience and go through at this age are sometimes too huge/juicy to discuss over a text/phone call; you just don’t get to see the emotions in a person’s face the same way.6. Planning reunions can be difficult but ALWAYS worth it.
I think by now you can easily gauge how tight our bond is, so every year since she’s been away we have made an effort to see each other 2-3 times, if not more, a year. Funny story actually: This summer on our small college-student-minimum-wage budgets we tried to plan a 2-3 day beach trip. This went on back and forth for several months and finally we settled on me coming to stay a week with her this summer in Mississippi. I swear I love the beach just as much as everyone else does, but this was a more enjoyable alternative in the end.
In sum, Ole Miss and ULM are pretty far away from each other, but you know what? If you’re real friends with someone, you don’t let something like distance come between that. Erin is almost always a phone call/text away and that’s what counts. And when we see each other after months of time apart, it’s like nothing has changed. We pick up right where we left off. I thank God for blessing me with such a fantastically amazing and lovely friend and I pray everyone finds his or her 'soul-mate' in a friend like I have.
