Leaving behind my high school nerd herd to journey into adulthood gave me the kind of nerves associated with first dates. Mostly the nerves were the good kind, only there to tell me, no worries, the feeling of incoming vomit is a positive sign. But I was also nervous at the prospect of maintaining a long-distance friendship. Saying goodbye became more than a word and a wave; it was a process.
A relationship that has weathered braces, bullying, periods, anxiety, sex, depression, and college applications is something that can’t be replicated. But despite my fear surrounding the fate of anything long distance, I’ve actually found a lot of pros to nurturing far away friendships. FOR EXAMPLE *ba-dum shh.*
Skype dates
Who doesn’t want one more thing in common with funny ladies Abbi and Illana, Broad City style. Despite living in the same city, these pals have perfected the art of video chatting to a very vulgar T. So much admiration for those two.
Space is healthy
I know “absence makes the heart grow fonder” is a cliche but that doesn’t make it less true.
Care packages/snail mail
I just feel so much more important when I get mail.
Totally-biased-in-your-favor listening skills
Since your long distance friends don’t live near you, they are always on your side. They’ll bash people they don’t even know.
“Thinking about you” texts
There is no better feeling than receiving a text message from someone you haven’t talked to in a while that just says they love and miss you. Affection is okay, guys. Don’t repress.
Random yearbook pictures only they have seen
No post-high school friends really know the extent of your gratitude to puberty. And a part of you thanks the lady goddesses your new friends didn’t know you as a pimply middle schooler or depressed high schooler. But another part loves reminiscing and laughing at the terrible awkwardness you endured with old friends.
Phone calls
No one calls each other on the phone anymore. Yes, it’s an ancient art, but it’s super nice when you just need to hear your bud’s voice.
The best advice people have given me in regards to keeping a long distance friend is to not stress. Another good piece of advice applicable to any situation is; if Tina Fey and Amy Poehler can do it, so can you. But since dreaming of feminist role models isn’t quite enough to sustain a friendship, I hope these tips are also helpful. With a little extra effort, I have faith that no conflicting time zone can extinguish your friendship love.