To All of My Long-Distance Friends,

Moving countries has been one of the best decisions I've ever made. Hands down. But one of the things that buzz around my head and stings in my heart are you guys back home, the friends that I've made here that have now moved away, and all the people that I love around the world. It gives me pangs sometimes thinking about the fact that I can't be there as often as I would like, that I'm missing out on watching you grow, change, your new relationships, and your continuing lives.

But I'm also here to tell you that not seeing you all as often as I'd like whether because of distance, different schedules, because of what life throws up. It doesn't mean that you are not a good friend, and it doesn't mean our friendship is any less strong.

I carry around all my friendships and all my friends with me everywhere.

If anything the distance has made me value you all even more. That the distance hasn't separated us and it won't!

There's something to be said for the enhancement of friendships with distance. You may not talk as often but when you do talk you really talk. You really connect. There's no time for surface stuff so you have to get right into the deep. The inside jokes stay strong and because they are your real friends, memories don't weaken.

Of course you want friends you can physically hang out with and share your life with.

Almost everyone needs to have some sort of physical contact with their friends. But just because someone is physically close by doesn't mean that they are going to be close to you emotionally. Many times these types of friendships are more convenience than anything else. The distant friend has nothing to gain from being there for you, except friendship.

If your friendships can survive distance then you're set.

The time differences, the different people and things that you do - they all fade away in front of a good friendship. It might be six months, a year, two years, ten years, but the ones worth keeping stick around. You can always reach out and say hi. Check-in. Rekindle that friendship and all those memories.

So, to my long-distance friends.

Thank you for sticking by me even though I'm not really there to help. I wish I could be, but life has taken me in other directions. Thank you for supporting me unconditionally even if it wasn't the best thing for you. Thank you for the words, encouragement, and for understanding when I fail to come through. Distance makes everything harder, but I hope I can be there for you in the same way. Just because we're not in the same neighbourhood, city, state, or even country, doesn't take away what we had, what we have, and what we will have.

If this seems like a love letter, in some ways it is. Really your friends are the ones who are going to be there through the ups and downs of life. It's not romantic love but it's just as important for a fulfilling and happy life, and for that, I say thank you to each and every person.

I hope to see you all again soon and I can't wait to hear about all of your adventures!