Five hundred twenty-six, 486, 380, 347, 282, and 2,367. Those are how many miles there are, respectively, between my best friends and I. Most days, that distance feels insanely far. Because of the wonders of modern day technology, we can keep in constant contact, but it’s nothing like things were just a few months ago. College is great, don’t get me wrong. I love what I’m studying, the parties are great, and I’ve made some lifelong friends already. I wouldn’t trade this experience for the world and definitely wouldn’t want to go back, but, sometimes, I miss the way things used to be. I’m one of almost 35,000 students currently enrolled at my college. There are people everywhere, which only makes it sting a little more when you realize some of your favorite people aren’t among them. This one’s for my friends from home.

When I look back to high school, I rarely think of homework assignments or presentations. I think of Friday nights under the lights, covered in face paint and yelling until we lost our voices. I think of being dressed up for prom pictures while our moms teared up, and then stripping off our suit jackets and heels to dance around like idiots. I think about us walking across that stage, all so excited and proud of how far we had come together. I think of you guys.

Growing up is scary, but the thought of growing apart is even scarier. Sometimes I find myself worrying that if I don’t send enough Snapchats or texts frequently enough, you’ll somehow forget about me. In the next few years, we’re going to see less and less of each other. We’re back for summers and holidays now, but we’ll start getting internships and traveling over breaks. Once we graduate, we’ll move to wherever we can find jobs. We’ll make it home when we can get off work. And then we’ll start families and get married. We’ll stop calling our hometowns ‘home.’ It’s really sad to think about, but we don’t have much guaranteed time left together.

But then I get to thinking about it a little harder and realize that you guys have been with me this long, so you’re stuck with me now. You guys will always be a huge part of my life. As cliche as it sounds, this letter isn’t just to my best friends from home. It’s to my future best man, the future godparents of my children, my future retirement home wheelchair-race competitors. No matter how far apart we are, we’re going to be fine. I don’t need to see you every day to know that you still care about me. I don’t have to hear from you all the time to know that you’re still my best friends, and our good times are far from over.

I put the keychain you gave me on my keyring and see it every day. I have a playlist called “Mercedes” on my Spotify that is nothing but songs we used to listen to on our late night adventures. I still have the bandana you left at my house before you moved away. I wear the underwear you (awkwardly) gave me for Christmas this year. I think of you whenever I see someone wearing Batman clothing. I love you guys (and I’m done being sappy, for now).