There’s a saying that if a friendship lasts seven years, it’ll last a lifetime. While I’m not 100% convinced by the sociology behind specifically seven years, it does make sense to me that in seven years you’ve likely had some major life changes.
And if someone sticks by you through those, it would be reasonable to predict that they’d stick by your side for whatever comes next.
My elementary school best friend moved away when we were in fifth grade. She had only been in the school district for two years, and I was so, so sad.
During those two years, we spent long days together at the pool, played kickball and jumped rope in the street, and biked almost every street within city limits. And so the summer after she moved, we both begged our parents to drive halfway to each other so we could spend a week together.
They agreed, and I got to spend a week with her in her new house in Omaha. We went to the zoo, the pool, and were practically inseparable for the week. The next summer she came back to visit me, and that solidified our summer tradition.
The summer I turned 16 I took my driver’s test on a Monday and got in my car Tuesday morning to make the four-hour drive by myself for the first time. That visit in particular sticks with me: It was our first time in the city by ourselves. The amount of freedom was incredible.
This 4th of July weekend was our ninth summer. I’ve become just as close with her younger sister and their neighbor, and have also snuck in a few extra visits in addition to my annual one.
This year, however, Lea and her sister Marlee’s parents got new jobs and moved to Illinois. The two of them and their older brother are staying in Omaha so the older two can complete another year of college and so Marlee can finish her senior year of high school.
This visit felt a lot like the summer three years ago, after I got my license. Except this year we were fully on our own. It was a different feeling, not seeing the whole family, but it was a wonderful weekend regardless. Each and every year I am amazed at how well we all know each other. Every day I spend with the three of them is filled with laughter about inside jokes or old photos.
If you have a long distance friend you haven’t seen in a while, this is your sign to call them. Or just send a text, email, Facebook message, or even mail a physical letter. It is so easy to get caught up in our routines.
Visiting a friend requires time off work, someone lined up to watch the kids or the pets, but our friendships are worth the distance and hassle: There is no greater joy than a reunion with someone you love.
