When we met in an online chat room, I wasn't expecting us to stay in contact for a very long time. I was just entering high school, had friends just down the block I could hang out with, wasn't even looking for a chat room, to begin with; I only wanted to check out a fan made website for a show I was into, and bam, there you were, interacting with the other chatters like you belonged there.
You lived in Kansas, I on Long Island, two entirely different places with entirely different histories. I was surrounded by the sea; the only water around for you was manmade lakes. I joked about tumbleweeds passing through your living room; you told me I had an accent, but I didn't hear it, so I didn't believe you.
We talked about everything: our favorite TV shows, what video games we were into, what we were doing in school, what our family life was like, what we wanted to be when we grew up. Hours of chatting online lead to exchanging numbers. We'd talk every day, about whatever came to mind. Whenever the question of best friends came up, you'd be my answer.
It didn't matter that we had never met in person. We had a real, tangible friendship as if we'd know each other our entire lives. Where other friends could meet up at the mall, we'd spend hours on the phone. We hung out over Skype video chats, traded Pokemon, and teamed up on Xbox to enjoy our favorite games together.
People questioned the legitimacy of our friendship, but we never doubted ourselves. "Online friendships aren't real" was common to hear from my mom, but I defended us. You were a real person, I was a real person, so why should a friendship made online be any less valid than one made in school?
Nine years later, we're still talking. We video chat once and a while, but our favorite thing to do is play video games together along with our other friends. I've been to see you once, just as you've flown over here to see me. The only unfortunate thing about the distance between our homes is the money it costs to get us together. Why do flights have to cost so much?!
We've laughed on the best of days and we've cried on the worst. We've been through disagreements and even stopped talking for months. It seems that no matter what happens, the universe brings us back together.
Growing up with you was a great experience and we've both changed so much, evolving from teens who exclusively shopped at "Hot Topic" and whined about the struggles of high school into young women taking on the adult world.
Best Friend, you inspire me to be creative, even when it seems like I have no energy left to do it. You encourage me when I'm feeling disappointed in myself. You're always there for me, no matter what, and I'm so incredibly thankful to have you in my life. Thank you for being who you are.
