A best friend is one of the best gifts life will give you.

I was lucky enough to receive that gift when I was in kindergarten. In sixth grade, she told me she was moving away, and I was heartbroken at first. But through the years, I've realized that having a long distance best friend is one of the experiences I'm most thankful for.

Here are some of the things I've learned from my best friend living 329 miles away.

1. The Importance of Communication

The influence of social media and texting has been one of the soul reasons keeping my friendship has been possible. Not being able to have an actual face to face conversation for almost a year at a time is incredibly hard. But I've learned that with the right person, it is possible. I didn't realize how grateful I am for digital communication until that was the only form of communication I could have with my best friend.

2. Cherishing Memories

When my best friend first moved away, our moms gave us the luxury of purchasing one of us a plane ticket to visit each other once every couple of months. But once we started high school and got more involved with our extracurriculars, the time in between those tickets got longer and longer. Every year, I only get to spend a week with the only person I would never get sick of. The memories I have are something I greatly value and is a constant reminder of how important our time together is.

3. How To Make The Most of Limited Time Together

Only having one week out of the fifty-two in a year with your best friend is very hard, so we always make that one week count. Those weeks will consist of luxurious vacactions to Cabo or dancing to our favorite bands at Lollapalooza; but, even when we’re not going on crazy adventures, we’re constantly talking and sharing stories from the other fifty-one weeks that we couldn’t share with each other. This has taught me that time is so valuable, so cherish every second before the moment passes you.

4. Being Reminded How Much A Friendship Means

I usually never cry tears of joy; but the times I have was because of my best friend surprising me. She has taught me how you can never take the important people in your life for granted because one day, they might be gone. Whenever she comes, whether it is a surprise or not, I am overwhelmed with happiness.

5. What It’s Like Knowing Someone is Actually There For You

No matter what problems I’m going through, I know I can always go to my best friend for advice. Even now. She may not even know the people I’m disagreeing with or anything about the situation I’m having troubles with, but she’s always there to help me the best she can. She taught me how important it is to always be there for the ones you love no matter what.

6.Why Distance Makes The Heart Grow Fonder

When she first moved away, my mom told me multiple times that having her move far will only strength our relationship. But I was scared I was never going to see her again. I realized that through the past 5 years, I’ve only seen her a handful of times, and still think of her as my best friend. It’s amazing how distance only plays a little factor in our friendship when in reality, it’s a huge one. Although I wish that I could experience high school with her, I’m so glad she’s in my life. I wouldn’t have it any other way.