There are very few things that I’ll ever consider myself an expert on: making a plate of nachos, destroying those very same nachos and Facebook stalking are my top three, but maintaining long-distance friendships is certainly not on that list. Over the years working at a summer camp, I’ve gained many wonderful people in my life, however very few of them live within driving distance, and many not even in the same state/country. And now that many of my amazing college friends are graduating and moving on to better things (I hate you all for leaving me), many of those friendships are forced to be tested by hundreds of miles separating us.

However, I refuse to let some of the most amazing people in my life leave so easily and quickly. Surprise, becoming friends with me means you’re stuck forever. You should have read the fine print much more closely. Here are some of the ways that I’ve maintained successful long distance friendships.

1. Make time for each other
   
   A famous quote by someone that no one knows but everyone quotes is, “you make time for the things that you love”, and who do you love more than your best friends?? Trust me, I am exhibit A of how busy life can get with school, on top of multiple jobs, and resume boosting extra circulars, but you’d be surprised how far a simple “thinking of you, miss you, love you!” text or a short 10 minute FaceTime call will go. Not only does it boost your relationship with the person, but it’s often a huge mood boost. One of my favorite things to do is FaceTime or text my friends from camp, and even though they’re thousands of miles away doing really cool stuff, it’s nice to know that we will always have a part in each others lives.
   
   
2. Don’t get jealous
   
   I totally struggle with this aspect of friendships. Your friends have other friends, and that’s okay. As much as you’d love to constantly smuggle your best friends with love and be their only friend, they do have lives outside of the capacity that you know/knew them in. And hopefully you also have other friends, if not please try to make some because it’s not healthy to sit and stare at your friends Facebook pictures, trying to decide which one is trying to steal your spot in your friend’s heart. They’re not going to, and your friend loves you, I promise.
   
   
3. Plan times to reconnect
   
   Many times this can be easier said than done but it’s always helpful to have a day planned that you can look forward to seeing the person again. One of my best friend’s from camp, Lillie, and I always make at least some effort to see each other every break. Whether it be spending new years eve together and I cleverly forget my makeup bag at her house so I’m FORCED to go see her again, or getting Starbucks and going to the mall together over winter break, nothing’s more helpful than having plans to see each other and catch up on everything in your crazy busy lives.
   
   
4. Keep sentimental value things
   
   One way I like to decorate my room at school with, is pictures. My walls are usally covered with printed photos of all the people I love and care about in my life. Many of them are from my numerous summers at summer camp, but some are from freshmen or sophomore year of college. It’s a great way to keep memories alive, and is a super easy conversation started when your college friends walk into your room and say, “why is there a photo of yourself stuffing orange peels in your mouth?” and you get to explain the hilarious lunch time story and share it with your friends. Another great thing is to write letters back and forth and hang those up. Lillie loves to make bucket lists of things that we should do when we reunite at camp or things to do together before we die, and I always love hanging those up and showing my friends how normal I am compared to some.
   
   
   
   
5. Don’t be hurt if the friendship doesn’t last forever
   
   As much as it sucks to come to terms with, sometimes friendships don’t last forever, and it’s okay. Many times people are brought into our lives for a short period to teach us something, but the very few and special friends are meant to last forever. Don’t cling on to a friendship that’s clearly served it’s purpose. (See my article: “To The Best Friend I’ve Held On To For Too Long”) Not saying that you should give up and stop putting in an effort when things get rocky, but understand that sometimes life has a funny way of always working out in the end.
   
   
   
6. Be okay with the distance
   
   One of the most beneficial things to do, is accept the fact that you guys are far apart. There’s nothing beneficial about lying to yourself and pretending that your friendship is the exact same as when you were connected at the hip, and it’s completely healthy for friendships to change over months and years. It’s a part of life, and it’s what makes us stronger people in the end. The quicker and easier it is for you and your best bud to accept that things aren’t how they used to be, but can still be close and have a great relationship, the happier you both will be in the end. And no, that as soon as you guys are reconnected, you'll pick up and laugh like nothing had ever happened.