For me, the best memories of New Year's Eve have been spent with my childhood best friend. Now that we're over 500 miles away from each other, it's a rarity that we get this opportunity. Here's a rundown of how our NYE (or really any night together) goes:

1. Grocery Run.

When we know we're having a night together, it's generally known that the first order of business of a trip to Target; one because we love Target, two because we can get our snacks and necessities there. We're big food people so honestly, we could spend hours in a food store.

2. Bake and cook all of your favorites.

Both of us love to cook and bake, so whenever we're together it's something we like to do. It's also an excuse for us to indulge in the goodies that don't necessarily agree with us and have the calories not count.

3. Netflix binge.

Both of us live relatively busy lives so nights together are generally pretty lazy and laid back. Our favorites are anything Food Network/food competition related or Fixer Upper. Between the commentary and criticisms, we've picked up over the years we're fairly certain we could host our own show or even open our own restaurant someday.

4. Drink sparkling cider/juice in fancy glasses.

We have another year until we're 21, so we aren't having champagne when the ball drops. However, we almost always have some kind of sparkling juice in a wine glass just to feel fancy and all adult-like. It's something we've done since our early high school years.

5. Monopoly.

I don't know what it is about this game, but we can sit there playing for hours. We turn Chopped on, heat up buffalo chicken dip, and grab extra blanket and pillows and settle in on the floor for the night with the game and we're all set. Some other great options are Cards Against Humanity or Apples to Apples.

6. Reminisce.

As I've already mentioned, we're over 500 miles apart, so anytime we get a chance to visit is a special occasion. We'll spend countless hours catching up and talking about the past and the future and what we want our lives to be. Something we always seem to forget, which says something, in my opinion, is to take pictures. We barely have any pictures together over the years because when we're together, we're so consumed with spending time together that it doesn't cross our minds until way after the fact.

There is something so special about a friendship that has lasted 9 years through moving, drama, and a lot of distance between us, but I'm so lucky to have as good of a friend as I do.