I am blessed to have such sweet, kind and thoughtful people in my life that I get to call my best friends. Some I have known for 20 years and others I have known for only a few months. Unfortunately, the way life works, sometimes those friends move away and are no longer down the street like they once were. Distance can be a challenge in many types of relationships. But just because you are a few hundred miles away from each other, that doesn’t mean you still can’t be close. Perhaps you can even become closer, as is the case for many of my friendships.

Here are some ways to keep a healthy, strong friendship alive despite long distance.

1. Make plans to talk regularly

Set time aside each day or week to talk at a set time. It gives you something to look forward to!

2. Send each other letters or care packages

Letters are such a cool, lost art. It’s personal and shows a bit more thought than a text. Care packages are great too! Send them their favorite snack or candy to make their day brighter.

3. Remember what is important to them

Keep tally of birthdays, anniversaries and important dates in the others’ life. Do they have a favorite celebrity that recently got engaged or a favorite band that released a new song? Tell them about it!

4. Have Skype dates

One of the best things you can do to strengthen a friendship is to have video calls. You get to see each other face to face and it is much more personal.

5. When you can see them, make that time special

If the chance arises for you to see each other, make it special. Plan the trip in advance, think of fun things you can do with each other and value that time together.

6. Ask about the small daily things

Does your friend have a test in school or an important job interview? Did they go on a first date or did they have to get their car fixed? Remember to ask about it.

7. Do the same activities

Watch the same movies and tv shows, read the same books and try out the same makeup products. You can report back to each other what you thought!

8. Remember why you became friends in the first place

Share inside jokes, retell stories and keep the good memories alive.