Some might think love and distance go together like water and oil until you actually experience them together first hand. I was never the type of girl to give distance a chance. especially when I could take the easy way out and just try and find my other half close by. However, when you start catching feelings for someone who lives across the country, you start thinking maybe distance doesn't matter anymore.

My best friend and I met freshman year in lecture when he asked if he I could help him with the homework assignment that was due. Since I commute to college, I didn't know many people on campus so I hesitated, yet still felt the need to help this guy out. I can honestly say it was slightly intimidating that he asked me for help considering he was the type of guy who could have asked anyone. He had a lot of friends, yet wanted the quiet one in front of him to help. I helped him and that was that. I didn't talk to him for the rest of the semester.

Once the semester was officially over and everyone moved home, I felt disappointed that I didn't talk more so I finally reached out and messaged him asking if the assignment helped him pass the class. Of course, when you are having fun on a hot, summer night with friends and beer, you get a little courage to reach and break out of your shell. Since that night, we've become best friends.

My study abroad trip to Italy for two weeks had finally arrived and I couldn't be more excited to go until I found out that my best friend was moving to Portland, OR. By the time I got back from Italy, he was gone and planning to never come back again. I immediately felt like I needed to give up because I knew if I caught feelings, I would just be wasting my time. Even though I had given up, I still felt the need to communicate with him every chance I got. The time zone was the killer and our work schedules always conflicted, however, we still found the time to make sure we were both alright at least once a week. It was almost like we were both trying to hide the fact we were falling for each other so we "friend-zoned" each other. Turns out, deep down inside we were both head over heels but didn't say anything because what was the point when you were 3000 miles apart.

Time went on, we dated other people and we still remained close. As the months went by, we realized how much we cared about each other and how much we were alike. Drunk phone calls turned into sober phone calls, and every other week texts turned into everyday texts. Dates started to slow down and talking to each other became a top priority.

June 2015 turned into June 2016 and time blurred together. Day by day we counted on each other to get by. A year later full of conversations and time making us stronger and closer than anyone could've ever imagined. Now it's July 2016 over a year has past and we are finally together in the same state sharing our conversations face to face, enjoying each other's presence and not regretting a damn thing.

Distance is only a word, a word that is judged too soon and often feared.

Let me tell you something: distance is worth it.