So, you have a best friend who lives far away. They could live just a state over, across the country or maybe even across the world. The distance could be due to college, military or just life. It doesn't really matter why; it's just the fact that they're so far away. Now, there are plenty of pros and cons to this devastating fact.
THE CONS
Never getting to see them.
Hello, obvious one here. You can't see them whenever you want. You have many miles between the two of you, and it's just not possible to see them. It sucks when things change and you can't (or maybe you never got the chance) to just call them up and make plans for that day anymore.
Time difference.
One of my hardest adjustments of having my best friend move across the country was the time difference. Since there could be so many hours difference between the two of you, it can be hard to find a good time for both to be able to talk and catch up on life.
Not there when you need them.
This is a tough one and it really goes hand in hand with the time difference and never getting to see them. When the one you go to with everything and anything moves so many hundreds of miles away, it's difficult. You go from having someone 24/7 to only having them a few hours a day.
Feeling like you're missing out on a big chunk of their life.
With a best friend so far away, it's not hard to feel like you're not a big part of their life anymore. They're off doing their own new thing with their new friends and you're... not. Even if you have your own friends wherever you are, it's easy to feel jealous and abandoned.
Visiting can be expensive.
Depending on how far away they are, visiting can be expensive. There are plane tickets, hotel costs, taxis, and much more that you have to consider when planning to visit them. Hopefully, your best friend will try to pitch in to help offset the costs.
THE PROS
Cherished moments.
When you realize you won't see your best friend for a long period of time, you learn to cherish the moments you spend with them way more. You don't cancel plans, and when things come up, you try your absolute hardest to change things around to spend at least some time with them.
Time difference.
Yes, I realize that this is a con, but think about what good can come out of this! If you're a night owl and your best friend is a few hours behind you, then you'll always have someone to talk to on your late night shenanigans.
Getting to grow separately.
It's not always a bad thing to grow up separately from your best friend. It's a true test of friendship when you can grow separately and not apart. It's OK not to have them there every step of the way; it really makes you learn to depend on yourself instead of solely on someone else. You get to find out who you really are.
More friends.
If you two are really close, like I mean really close, then you will probably be friends with their new friends as well or at least know the majority of their new friends' personal life. No matter how far away the two of you are, you guys are a package deal.
Automatic vacation/holiday spot.
This one is great. Holidays and vacations between the two of you don't always coordinate so you can't plan out some exotic road trip with just the two of you. So, what do you do? Visit them! You have an automatic guide to take you on endless adventures!
No matter how sad I may get that my best friend is on the other side on the country, I will always take in the positives with the negatives of having someone so close to me but so far away.
