People are always complaining about social media—how it prevents young adults from interacting face-to-face. I got my smartphone after graduating from high school, but I don’t feel as if it hindered me in my social growth. In fact, I feel like almost the exact opposite occurred.

My phone has helped me to make connections that would have been impossible otherwise. I’m talking mainly about social media. Although it can complicate life at times, social media is also a tool to utilize; it’s nice to be able to see what my friends are up to, to look at pictures of my adorable baby cousin, and to post so that my protective older brother can creep on me if he so chooses…

One of my favorite social media outlets is Snapchat. Many adults that I love and respect think this is a silly and/or pointless app that only young people use. When they tell me this, I try to explain why I, personally, value the app so much.

For one thing, Snapchat enables what people often times think social media limits. It does not, in fact, inhibit face-to-face communication, but enables it. Snapchat It allows me to see some of my best friends. Their faces. Their beautiful faces. Their silly faces. Their facial expressions. Signature expressions that I attribute especially to each person. No matter how many miles apart we may be, I can still see my best friends. And I love that.

I can also see what they’re up to. They send me ordinary snaps—pictures of their lunches, books, study spots, dorm rooms, etc. They also send me exciting snaps—views from places they visit, selfies from when they qualify for rugby nationals, projects they’re doing with their practicum students, and more. Seeing these snaps makes me feel almost like I’m there with them. Snapchat videos are great too; they’re usually hilarious, and they warm my heart. I love watching my friends do funny things and hearing them talk and laugh.

These Snapchats show me what my friends are up to. They help me to feel like I’m a part of their routines, the highs, and lows of their daily lives. Many of my friends and I try to Snapchat each other on a daily basis. My most impressive snap streak is 250 days long (to be continued...).

I led a weekend retreat early in the spring; before I left for the retreat, though, I pre-planned a way to maintain this streak. While some people may think it’s crazy to Snapchat for 250 days, 36 weeks or 8.5 months straight, I think it’s awesome. My friend and I have taken time out of our busy schedules each day, for months upon months, to stop, think about each other and chat briefly through the app. Our snap streak is proof of how much we value our friendship and correspondence with each other, and how willing we are to maintain and further our relationship.

My friend likes to Snapchat people at exactly 11:11. I am one of a lucky few that she Snapchats each day at that time. I depend on these daily doses of my friend and try to respond in time. Instead of making wishes, we make a connection. Snapchat allows us to do this. I am extremely grateful that the app allows me to see and talk with her—and my other friends and family—on a regular basis.

11:11, make a connection.

(Plus, the filters are cool.)