Dear long distance friends,
It seems just like yesterday we were in high school without a care in the world. I wish we could go back and have one more day hanging out in the high school parking lot or have one more lunch in the cafeteria where we would dare each other to do stupid things. I often find myself missing the summer nights when we would car paint the senior boys, sit at restaurants talking until we got kicked out, and drive around blaring Shaggy. Whenever I think of these things I honestly laugh out loud and people look at me like I am crazy. Now as college freshman, we are all spread out and living completely different lives than we were a year ago.
Although we all go to different schools, we are #blessed to have the group chat to keep everyone updated on literally every aspect of our lives. From getting opinions on what to eat for lunch to getting opinions about boys, we still go to each other for everything. Because of the group chat we are able to joke about stupid we were in high school and keep up with everyone's new experiences. We may not go to the same schools, but you guys are still the people I go to when I need advice or opinions on a dress for a formal.
However, what I have learned most from long distance friendships is that we should have appreciated each other more than we did in high school. Looking back, the stupid fights over boys or what someone said we're just not worth it. We always talked about getting out of our small town and starting new lives. But what we forgot was that we would also be leaving each other. Instead of wishing high school would go by faster, we should have forgotten about all the stupid drama and lived in the moment more.
Luckily in just a few months, we have this fantastic thing called summer break. We get a second chance to do all the things we used to do, but better. This time, we will appreciate the time we have together more than we did before. Instead of wishing our summer to fly by, we will spend more time together and remember how we felt when we were apart.
While we all have made new friends and experiences at our new schools, there is nothing like your hometown best friend group. We were there for each other through the breakups, the failed tests, the proms, the car wrecks, the bad haircuts and everything in between. I am thankful for all the times we've had, I know there are much better times to come. We grew up together and we will continue to develop into grown-ups, but we will always be the same crazy group of friends. Without you guys, I would not be the person I am today.
