Having and maintaining a friendship with someone who lives across the country is probably a lot more difficult and complicated than most people would think it’d be, especially in the age of technology. Despite the amazing technology, it is increasingly difficult to keep in contact with someone who you can't see face to face every week, every month, or sometimes even every year. Different schedules and time zones mean that if you do want to stay in contact, you somehow have to put forth far more effort than you would with someone living just across town. There is no last minute get togethers or quick dinners. There's just your phone and their phone, trying to connect two people in far off places.

All of this is made even harder when your long distance friend is really your best friend, the person you want to tell everything and share every moment with. The friend who makes you a better person on a daily basis and is never afraid to call you out when you're wrong. The friend to whom your other friends, no matter how amazing they are, simply cannot compare. The friend who taught you what a best friend means.

It seems obvious that you would feel the distance the most on rough days, but I think you feel the distance equally as much on really great days. As much as you just want a big hug and a shoulder to cry on when you're down, you also just want someone to laugh and jump with joy with when you're high on the feeling of a really great day.

But those things can't happen with a long distance best friend. Yes, sure you can still talk to them and tell them all about it but the fact is, virtual hugs aren't anywhere near as good as the real thing.

However, I wouldn't change a thing. As much as the distance can really wear you down sometimes, I think it also has the power to bring you closer than ever before if you let it. When you aren't forced to see one another every day or even talk to one another, you understand that the friendship is solely up to the two of you to maintain. There's no outside force keeping you together any longer, therefore, I think things have the opportunity to become more sincere and substantial. There is no room for small talk with no meaning behind it when your time is limited.

It also is a pretty unique thing to be two different people living two completely different lives and continuing to keep a connection. It is fascinating to see what amazing places lives takes each of you and to be able to share in the joys of it all. What could be better than loving the life you are living and being able to live vicariously through your friend as they also love the life they are living? Is there such a thing as too much love for life? I think not.

So to my long distance best friend(who ironically became my best friend after over 1,000 miles were put between us), thank you.

Thank you for continuing to be my friend and caring about me even when you had the perfect out of 1,000 miles.

Thank you for listening to my crazy stories and for telling me your own crazy stories at all hours of the day.

Thank you for making the time for me in your busy life.

Thank you for being my best friend, I love you.