Friendships are one of the few mysteries of life. How they work and why they don't work. There are all different types of friendships. Sometimes friends stay and other times they leave. In a way, they are mini relationships that make someone's life special. Although we did meet in the state of New York, you my friend didn't stay too long. The hardest part about any friendship is staying in touch and not losing contact.
I'll never forgot when our friendship actually started. We were in a theatre production together and you didn't know anyone and I was kind of on my own. I sat next to you and said, "Hi! My name is Lisa." to which you replied, "Hi! My name is Natalie." After that moment, we stuck together like glue. We made so many jokes during rehearsals and I'll admit I was really upset that it was over. Many sleepovers later, we bonded over our love for the Lord of the Rings and even gave each other nicknames from the movies. We also bonded over our love for pizza bagels and would eat them every time we slept over each other's house or while just hanging out. We were literally partners in crime and the smallest duo considering we were both under 5'3. Then one day, you gave me really sad news. You told me you were moving to Nevada. I cried for hours upon hours. I was so scared that our friendship would basically be over and you'd get busy and forget about me and vice versa.
On our final sleepover, we had peanut butter and Oreos, watched scary movies and cried. I was so grateful to have met you that I came to grips that if our friendship faded, I would be happy with the memories we made. At first, the time difference was a struggle and then time passed. We would talk maybe three times every couple weeks and I could feel the end. Then one day, you texted me with the best news ever. You told me you were coming back to New York. I ran into my mom's room and did a happy dance. It was so exciting to have my friend come back. Sleepovers commenced and for a while, New York was your home for the second time. I always kid with you that you always come back and forth. We would both laugh and I would fill you in on the gossip going on in my life and you would do the same.
Fast forward to the summer before going away to college, where once again sad news was told. I had excitedly told you I was going to a school in New Hampshire and you had news that once again you were moving. This time you were moving to Florida. At first, I didn't want to believe that the Samwise to my Frodo was once again leaving New York. It hit me at the final sleepover that we had, that you would no long be living in New York and that this was a permanent move. You excitedly told me that you were going to Florida and going to college there. I couldn't help but be happy for you. This meant that it would once again be a long distance friendship, but then I thought most of our friendship was long distance and that made me smile.
Over the course of my freshman year at college, I called you multiple times for help, guidance and even a good laugh. This long distance was always hard, but it taught me how to be long distance with my friends I had made at school. It also taught me the value and importance of friendship. I know sometimes I want to be able to drive to your house and hangout, but it's okay. You're only a text or phone call away. When I left for school after this summer, a lot of my friends that were starting college kept asking, "How are we going to stay in touch?" Each of them said this with sad tones and even sadder faces and my response is "I'm only a text away. It's easy to stay in touch as long as you make the effort."
Thank you for the many phone calls, texts, supportive hugs and the best sleepovers ever. You taught me many important lessons on friendship. Even though you're miles away from me, our friendship will still remain. I'll be waiting for the next sleepover with peanut butter and Oreos!
See you Soon!
