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How To Handle A Long Distance Friendship

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There’s that one person in the whole entire world who completes you. You know, the one who can watch “Bridesmaids” on repeat with you and laugh like every time is the first time. The one who fills up your wine glass and helps decipher those oh-so-mysterious text messages. The person who knows you better than you know yourself and would drop anything and everything to help you out, no matter the situation.

She’s your other half, your partner in crime, your motivator, your biggest fan, your leader, your follower, and your soulmate. She’s your best friend. And you know that nothing would ever come between the two of you. Until, well, it does. Life happens, and all of a sudden, what comes between you two isn’t a boy, a dumb fight, or competing goals–you’re too strong for that. What comes between the two of you is distance. One of you receives an opportunity that can’t be passed up, and before you know it, you’re hugging your person goodbye as she turns your world upside down and makes her home someplace far, far away from you. That bitch.

That’s right. Your best friend is moving away. And it really, really sucks.

Before you start wallowing in sadness and wine, I’m here to tell you that having your best friend move away isn’t the end of the world. Or even that big of a deal. Stick with me and I can let you in on a few secrets to having the best long distance friendship that will actually make your bond stronger and last a lifetime.

Hello, Skype And FaceTime
Video chatting has taken all of the actual sadness out of distance. Nowadays, you can have wine nights, movie marathons, and stare into each other’s eyes while peeing and things are basically normal. Let’s be real, when the two of you hung out, you were most likely staring at a screen anyway. Now you’ll actually have to look at each other’s face, or at least split the screen with Facebook.

Texting, Always
You’ll honestly text like nothing has changed. Drunk emojis? Check. Bitching about all your other friends? Always. Comparing levels of hangover? Done. It’s literally the same.

Random Gifts Are The Best Gifts
This is one of the coolest things about being in a long distance best friendship. You’re aren’t exactly capable of rushing to her side every time she has a crisis (read: her boyfriend hasn’t texted her back for 15 minutes). So, when desperate times call for desperate measures, you resort to sending random gifts like a round of drinks at the bar she’s at, nail salon gift cards, and, the mecca of all things delivered, Edible Arrangements. Because yes, money can buy you love. And chocolate dipped fruit, which is actually better than love.

Opportunity For Adventure
Having a best friend move away just creates more opportunities to travel. You’ll go visit her, she’ll come visit you, and sometimes, you’ll meet up in random places to visit each other. It’s genius because this way, you’re spreading out your net for meeting guys, having adventures, and seeing new things. This is much better than sticking around the same town with the same guys and going to the same bar called The Library or whatever your disgusting college cesspool is called.

There Is No More Taking The Friendship For Granted
Living apart from each other, if done correctly, will actually make your friendship stronger. When you get to talk to each other, see each other, and actually hang out, you’re much more in tune to each other. You’re not staring at your phone and itching to talk about yourself. You genuinely can’t wait to see her, so you make the most of every single visit and moment that you get.

It’s Time To Find Yourself
Sometimes friends mold to be like each other. You’ll dress the same, talk the same, and be interested in the same things. That’s fine for awhile, but eventually, you need to start finding yourself. Having some distance from your long-time best friend will give you the time and freedom to discover new hobbies and passions. Best part? She’ll be doing the same thing. You’ll have more to talk about and you’ll double the chances of finding some really cool things that both of you will love, like pole dancing or eating lots of pie.

Absence Makes The Heart Grow Fonder
There’s a reason this is a saying. Absence can go one of two ways: you’ll forget about each other, or your relationship will become stronger. I have no doubt that if you’re reading this and thinking of your bestie, it will only go the second way, and you’re both in for the wild, fabulous, friendship-filled ride of a lifetime.

“Together forever and never apart. Maybe in distance, but never at heart.”

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Rachel Varina

(yeahokaywhat) Aspiring to be the next Tina Fey, Rachel spends her free time doing nothing to reach that goal. While judging people based on how they use "they're" vs. "there" on social media, she likes eating buffalo chicken dip, watching other people's Netflix, and wearing sweatpants way more than is socially acceptable.

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