It's funny actually, how people who live on the complete opposite side of the country, whom you never even met can be your best friends. I have never been able to hug them, talk to them face to face, and make them laugh in person. Yet, I have had the privilege of speaking to them via iMessage and Snapchat every second of every day. There is never a moment where the group chats stop. The crazy number of virtual hugs that are sent can make up for the real ones we have missed along the way.
As a child, I always assumed that to be best friends with somebody; you needed to see them every moment of every day. They were simply the person that you always hung out with, created memory after memory with, and cared so much about. I cannot even begin to tell you how wrong I was. Little did I know that not being able to see your best friend every day helps create such an unbreakable bond. It makes the friendship so much stronger.
Years ago I joined a group chat based on the band One Direction... yep I met my best friends because of a band. How cliche right? But, by joining a simple group chat, I became immersed to 14 of the most lovely and relatable people that I have ever crossed paths with and little did I know that we would continue talking for three years and become such great friends.
When I talk about my best friends people look at me like I'm crazy. Maybe I am, but I don't care, they're worth it. People are always throwing questions at me like, "How are you best friends with people that you have never met?" "How do you even know that these people are real? "What is the point in talking to people that you will most likely never meet?" I've heard them all.
It's okay if you don't understand how I can consider these people my best friends, yet alone 14 of them. I know for a fact that my parents and other friends freak out when I tell them about my "internet friends." But I don't need your approval because I know that they are. I can agree that it is a little strange, knowing that there is someone on the other side of the country whom you only speak to through phone calls, text messages, and Snapchats, and yet consider as close as family.
However, I wouldn't change any of it. These 14 girls are the most real people that I have ever met. They are the people that I look forward to talking to when I wake up each morning and every night when I go to bed. They are the reason that I have to put my phone on "Do Not Disturb" because I know it will be going off all night and in class if I don't. I look forward to checking my phone every morning because I know there will be a crazy amount of texts in our group chat and of course some of the ugliest, but funniest Snapchats I have ever seen.
These 14 girls are the people that I miss when they can't text for the entire day as well as the ones that I regularly ask for advice about absolutely anything. We all share our problems, insecurities, our dreams, and every other corner of our crazy lives. They encourage me to do the unthinkable and are the ones that get excited for me when I hit milestones in my life. They are the ones that make me laugh when I need it and can make my day go from terrible to amazing in .5 seconds. They're my go-to girls for picking out outfits or getting approval before ordering new clothes. Heck, we even send Christmas gifts to each other and random stupid things that nobody but us would understand. Yeah, our friendship is unconventional and challenging, but that is what makes it worth it.
But for real, isn't that what friendship is all about? Why does it matter that we've never physically been in the same room with one another?
I was lucky enough to meet 1/14 of the girls (s/o to you Bella) this past summer in Chicago and it was one of the happiest days of my life. I know that sounds cheesy, but it’s true. It is the one sole day that I remember from sunrise to sunset from this past summer. It was a day where I felt the happiness that I didn’t even know was possible. I constantly relive that day over and over in my head and I don’t think it will ever stop because it meant so much to me.
They are my sisters from all around the country, and I am so lucky to have them. One day I know that we will all meet up and it will be amazing just like we always say it will be. Until that day comes, the random texts, late night video calls, and ugly Snapchats will have to do.
