It was every middle schooler's worst nightmare, a modern-day heartbreak, and the plot to many sad and cheesy movies - your best friend is moving away. I remember being told this by my Mom in the middle of the seventh grade, my best friend from the age of five was moving five hours away, needless to say, I was not a happy camper. Looking back as we approach our 20s, I am happy to announce that not only are we still besties but also this experience taught me quite a few valuable life lessons.

1. The importance of FaceTime

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As FaceTime and other video chats were the only ways we were able to see each other, we finally learned to appreciate technology. I mean really, how cool is it that my bestie and I can still do our online shopping together, from across the state (and since this state happens to be Pennsylvania, across the state was a pretty far distance). So, while yes, I do sometimes facetime my friends from the same house to show them something or tell a funny story, I do also understand FaceTime to be a means of survival.

2. How to survive college

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At twelve years old, you have no idea of the big storm coming, aka leaving your hometown and all of your friends for college. So, while I was dealing with the crisis of my best friend leaving, I had no idea I was learning and experiencing what was ahead for me. Because I got a glimpse of this, when it came to leaving my friends at eighteen, yes I was sad but I also knew it would be okay. From my experience when I was twelve, I learned what real friendship could overcome, distance and all.

3. How to be adventurous 

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You need an excuse to drive five hours away? Better start getting creative. There's a 5k in Pittsburgh? Better buy those running sneakers after all. Seeing each other changes from an everyday event to a special occasion event. Which leads you to start picking up habits of running, so you can go run that Color Run five hours away even though there is one closer or learning to drive reeeaaallllyyy well in hopes your parents will allow you to drive the distance alone or even pretending to be interested in colleges far away as an excuse to meet up.

4. How to be there for someone without actually being there

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Trying to help your bestie from far away proves a challenge when you can't just show up at their house with ice cream and give them a hug. The challenge also gives you a gift of adapting to situations and your listening skills will definitely improve. Since you can't physically be in their presence, you have to learn how to listen… and really listen, not just listening so you can reply, but keeping your mouth shut and letting them vent kinda listening. This one will teach you how to be there for people, whenever and wherever, which is the best lesson of them all.

5. How to keep up with two different social groups

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Junior high and high school is filled with enough drama to keep track of for just one person, but try doing it for two. That girl your bestie doesn't like? You don't like her and you better know why. That boy that wronged her? You better know that story like the back of your hand. To add more confusion, you have not met or seen most of these people but yet you know all of their drama. Lucky for me though, high school girls are pretty much stereotypical everywhere, and drama is pretty much the same in every zip code, but you better know about both.

6. Genuine friendship can overcome distance

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From this experience, I have been blessed to have a true and genuine friend in my life. Yeah, we don't see each other a lot, sometimes only once a year if we are lucky, and sometimes we don't get a chance to text all week, but when we do it is like nothing is different. This friendship allowed me to understand a lot of other relationships in my life, sometimes you really are just friends with someone because you see them every day in school or you have classes together, and this is okay. The biggest test of friendship is distance, and you shouldn't fear this, because if this person is meant to stay in your life, they just kinda will and it won't be hard to overcome the distance.

Reflecting on this, I can say I am happy we didn't follow through on the plan to abduct you and change your name and identity and have you live in my basement, a bulletproof plan from yours truly. Instead of hiding from this, we both embraced it and grew from it. I am so incredibly proud of everything you have accomplished and will always be grateful to have you as a forever friend in my life.

Not only does my BFF support me, her Momma does too every week by reading all of the articles I post, and this one is for you two, my favorite people ever!