Friends that go the distance

Every summer, during August, my mom and I try to make it out to California to see my friends who live there. Each time we go is better than the last, and creating new experiences there is always magical. 

August 2019, especially, was a month that seemed so short but lasted so long. I remember, first, my mom and I stopping in New York to see “Hamilton” because it’s one of her favorite plays that she’s always wanted to see. I was never a fan of “Hamilton,” but I got through it in the end. The whole time I was texting my friend in Los Angeles about all the things we were doing, and how excited we both were to see each other the next day.

We flew out of New York around 12:00 and managed to land in California at three. I’ve been to LAX before so it wasn’t new to me, but it still looked like nothing I’ve ever seen before. My mom and I rented a car so we could get around easily, and we headed over to my friend’s house. At this time I was really nervous to see everyone because we hadn’t seen them in about a year. I was also thinking about what we would talk about, do, and so on.

When I saw my friends, I felt so happy and joyous. It felt like everything was taken off me and I could finally experience true peace. I think that is what happens when you see someone that you haven’t seen in a long time. We immediately came together and hugged each other and got that euphoric feeling once again. 

Since my friend and I have a lot in common, our conversations become natural, and all fit together. For both of us, it seems like having a break is needed in our world and that doing all the things we were about to do was going to be the best time in our lives. I slept over at their house that night because the next day we were going to the beach and doing other things in Malibu. I remember falling asleep in her bed by accident because I was so tired. We watched “The Little Mermaid” together so I tried really hard to stay up, but I just couldn’t.

The next day came so fast. We went to the beach and did some fun things there. My friend and I got really hungry at some point and went to go get something to eat, and the whole way there we were just laughing at the most random things ever, not having a care in the world. Then we went for a walk along the beach, running in and out of the water, walking as far as our legs could take us. This whole time we still had the feeling of happiness and not being so wrapped up in our lives. Dinner that night was also amazing — we ate at a seaside restaurant and had the most perfect view of the ocean that was just so calming.

For the last two days, my friend and I went to Laguna Beach and stayed at a ranch there. At this point, I was getting more and more upset because my mom and I were leaving in a couple of days, but I kept telling myself that I had to enjoy the present and not get too wrapped up in that feeling. One of those nights, my friend and I went night swimming and it was the best memory to come out of that trip. We were listening to music, playing around in the pool, going in the hot tub and so on. When I went to bed last night, I remember just feeling so appreciative of my life and everything that has happened on this trip.

When people have a long-distance friendship or relationship it’ll be hard for a while, but then you’ll realize that it’s actually not that bad. Having a long-distance friendship is going to be hard from knowing they’ll always have their home friends and feeling like you’re just there. But the good that comes out of it is seeing them again and actually experiencing nice things together once again. Always know that no matter what, they can be by your side on anything. Don’t be scared of having these long-distance friendships because of the good that can come out of it, and the happiness both of you might bring to each other when you do see one another again.