To The Friends Who Love Us No Matter The Distance

I hate that we are so far apart from each other. I need you to know that, even if I don’t say it every time we talk.

I know the distance takes a toll on you because it takes a toll on me, too. There was a point in our lives where we really didn’t think too hard about being so far apart. We didn’t prepare because it seemed we had all the time in the world to adjust- or that life simply wouldn’t dare create distance between two people who are as close as we’ve always been.

Thank you for still loving me despite all the space between us. For taking the love, you’ve always shown me and stretching it across hundreds of miles, ensuring I still know it exists. I know it isn’t always simple or easy, but your willingness to even put in the effort speaks volumes in ways I could never forget.

Thank you for knowing that my decision to live far away has nothing to do with not wanting to be close to you and everything to do with becoming the person you’ve always known I could be. During my most stressful moments, you’ve sat with me, where I honestly thought I would fail at what I hoped to achieve. You were always right next to me, saying that the only way I definitely failed is if I didn’t try. You know me better than anyone else.

Thank you for making the efforts to come to see me, even though it means going out of your way to do so. I love the ability to show you the new things happening in my life, and having you there (even for just a day or two) to make memories with makes you feel not so far away. Thank you for making room in your schedule whenever I come back to visit you- I know life is hard and hectic, but it means the world that you’ve carved out space for me.

Thank you for understanding when we are unable to talk every day, or even every week for that matter. Even when we were in the same city, our lives were always busy, but the distance can make things feel worse. It can be easy to feel like we aren’t important to each other if we are out of easy driving distance- but your love and patience are a constant reminder that this isn’t true. We know that our connection is stronger than distance.

Thank you for supporting and believing in me, even when it took me far from you. I know how bittersweet of a decision that was. I know having my back has never been hard for you to do- you’re filled with adoration and reliability I’ve never known in a person. Yet I know part of you would’ve loved to just grab me in a hug and keep me right by your side. It’s the same part of me that wishes I could’ve dragged you with me to my new place. Yet we’ve always known that sometimes you have to step aside for someone else to do what they need to, and I can’t thank you enough for showing me that time and time again.

Thank you for reminding me that friendship isn’t an “out of sight, out of mind” kind of relationship. True friendship means doing whatever you can to make things work, even when it won’t always feel the same. Weekend coffee runs may turn into paragraph text messages relaying every detail. Hanging out at each other’s homes turn into Facetime chats. Social media becomes the daily news update for any information that keeps us in the loop, knowing we’ll give each other the non-post worthy moments later on. It’s knowing that regardless of how far apart we are, our hearts are still as close as they were before.

Thank you for simply existing in my life. I truly can’t imagine what my world would be like without you in it.

I know that regardless of how far away we might be, I won’t ever have to.