To my friend,

I didn’t move across the country or to some foreign place. In fact, I’m in a neighboring state, really not so far away. But that doesn’t change the fact that I went from seeing you every day or at least on a constant basis, to not seeing you quite as much. I can’t really say that I’m still friends with everyone I was close to before starting college, so if we’re still talking: you mean the world to me.

I think about you all the time and think back on our memories together. I cherish all our moments together from inside jokes, jam sessions, sleepovers, graduations, parties, and so much more. If there’s anything I can promise you, it’s that there’s a photo of us on my wall and visitors always ask who you are. I always see things that remind me of you and I’m always on the hunt for something you’ll love. Something I want you to know, you have NOT been replaced, nor could you ever be replaced. I swear I probably talk too much about you. My friends here know all about you, and they want to meet you if they haven’t already.

My mind is all over the place and I’m always busy. There’s hardly a moment to rest here. I hardly even see my friends that are here lately. I’ll have the intention to text you or call, and in the midst of that busyness, it slips my mind. If you don’t believe me, ask my parents. So many times I tell them I’ll call, the day passes, and by the time I remember, I know they’re already sound asleep. So if you don’t hear from me often, I’m so sorry. It’s not because I don’t want to talk or because I’m having too much fun to talk to you. I’m thankful that we at least have social media to keep tabs on one another.

That being said, I know it isn’t always easy, but I appreciate that I can still call you my friend even though we don’t speak much. I look forward to making plans and catching up. I love that it always feels like we picked up right where we last left off. I love to hear about what’s going on in your life and I’m so happy you’re going places, starting new journeys, meeting new people, and living life. I love that despite the fact that we may be on different chapters in our lives, we can still come together.

Thank you for your friendship, love, and support. I hope you understand just how much your friendship means to me. Know that I’m praying for you (whether you want it or not) constantly. I pray for your safe keeping and well-being. I pray that you do well in school, that you get that job, that you grow, and that you always feel loved. If you ever need to talk for any reason at all, I’m here for you. If you call me at 3am, I WILL answer. Only my tech-free classes would keep me from answering a call from you.

I want you to know that I support you in all your endeavors. I wish you the absolute best in all that you do, whether I get to be there or not. There’s a saying I’ve heard my whole life, and I may have said it to you, “Some friends are for a reason, some only for a season.” If we’ve remained friends these last few years, that speaks volumes to my life as I hope it has done in yours. Friendship that withstands time, distance and the sometimes messy parts in between are friendships that are there with great REASON. I thank God that I have the privilege of knowing you and having you in my life. You have created a new definition of friend for me. Know that you have a special place in my heart, and you always will.

“There is magic in long-distance friendships. They let you relate to other human beings in a way that goes beyond being physically together and is often more profound.”

–Diana Cortes

Your friend,

Melissa