11 Reasons Being In A Long-Distance Friendship Is Always Worth The Struggle

One of my best friends lives across the globe from me. It would take 24 hours, over 9,000 miles and at least $1,500 for us to get to each other. If that sounds absolutely crazy to you, that's because it kind of is.

We started out as casual acquaintances on Tumblr over four years ago. We bonded over our favorite music, travel goals and Nick Miller from "New Girl." The next thing I knew, we were talking on a daily basis, creating a bucket list together and motivating each other to “seriously wake up and get our asses out of bed.” He's my go-to for everything, and I can't imagine going a day without us speaking.

Basically, he's become a staple in my daily life (and not only because he occasionally serves as a backup alarm clock). Two years ago, I took a month off from work to travel across the world, and I had the chance to finally hang out with my long-distance best friend. It definitely felt different, but once we got over the shock of being in the same place at the same time, everything fell into place.

When I tell people my best friend lives across the world from me, they ask, "How is it possible for you to be such good friends from that distance? Don't you guys miss each other all the time? Don't you wish you could just call each other up to hang out?"

We do, but there's this constant daydream of when and where we'll see each other next. It's kind of exciting.

There's something distinctly special about the long-distance friends in our lives. While it's not exactly ideal to be located far enough apart that you have to make plans weeks (or months) in advance, those friendships are so worth it. These are the reasons why:

1. Best friend love knows no distance.

Whether you and your best friend grew up together and moved apart, or whether you met and discovered you already live far apart, the love best friends share is so important. The number of miles between you two doesn't change that love.

Sometimes, a simple, “Hey, I love you” text can turn your day around.

2. Your friend is always there for you, even if he or she is not physically there.

Even when you can't be right next to each other, you have this person who is always cheering you on. He or she is excited to hear about the changes in your life. He or she is proud of you for taking on new challenges, and even for simply getting through rough days. He or she is the first person you tell news to.

He or she will happily let you vent to him or her about even the most mundane things because you've done the same thing for him or her. You're both bosses at listening.

On the days when you're doubting yourself, he or she will reassure you. If you're lucky, he or she somehow knows you better than you know yourself.

3. Your best friend always knows what to say.

Seriously, he or she does. If you're having a “terrible, horrible, no good, very bad” day, just one sentence from your long-distance best friend can turn things around.

He or she knows just what to say to make you laugh, smile or cry. He or she knows all of your ins and outs. Somehow, no matter where he or she is, he or she can sense how you're feeling. He or she will tell you exactly what you need to hear, whether it's a joke, a song or a moment of honest advice.

4. You both know how important you are.

When you're part of a long-distance best friendship, you know you won't be able to physically see this person every day. But because you're both committed to it, you know just how important your best friend is, and vice versa.

Your best friend listens to you, understands you and supports you. At the end of the day, he or she keeps in touch because you're important to him or her. That feeling rocks.

5. Long-distance best friends are in it for the long haul.

So maybe you only get to hang out once or twice a year. Maybe you only hang out once every few years. But this is a person you'll make an effort to see over time.

You've grown together through all kinds of things, and you're not going anywhere anytime soon. But even if you go somewhere, you've already nailed that whole far-away bond thing.

Far-away friends are forever friends.

6. You have great travel perks.

Having a long-distance best friend is, in some ways, a good reason to make an effort to travel. When either of you manages to travel to the other's city, you have someone there to welcome you with open arms.

You also have a couch to crash on, a person to show you around and someone you already know to hang out with. The best long-distance friends are the ones who welcome you into their social groups when you're visiting so that you instantly feel at home.

Maybe you both decide to travel separately and meet up along the way. It's still awesome to have a strong connection with someone on your travels, and it's cool to see new places together.

7. Different time zones can be oddly convenient.

Time zones can be major hassle in a lot of cases. But for best friends who are far away, there's a good chance you'll always have someone to talk to conveniently at odd hours.

When all your local friends are asleep at normal hours, and you're wide awake, panicking about your life (as we all do), a long-distance best friend can likely text, call or FaceTime you. There's something seriously comforting about that.

8. You can pick up right where you left off.

This is a person you can connect with from any location. So, it's not crazy to consider that you and your long-distance best friend are constantly texting and calling. It's probably safe to say you're always caught up with one another.

So, when the time comes for you to finally be in the same place, it's almost like no time has passed at all. It's kind of nice to not spend your time together catching up. You can start off right in the moment and make new memories together.

9. The memories never seem to get old.

You have a number of inside jokes, shared favorite songs and hilarious memories together. It seems like no matter how much time has passed, those things never get old.

In the downtime apart, you have the opportunity to relive the good times with your friend. Who doesn't love waking up to a text from a long-distance best friend that starts with “Remember that time?”

10. You'll always answer each other's texts.

So many of us are guilty of avoiding certain texts, whether it's because we're easily distracted and forget or because we honestly just don't feel like talking. It happens.

As easy as it is to communicate from far away these days, there's still some level of priority when it comes to responding to your long-distance best friend. It might take a few hours, but you know you'll hear back from him or her.

11. The universe thought you should meet.

Some stars aligned that allowed you to meet your long-distance best friend. However your friendship came into existence, you know you were meant to meet each other.

You found things in common with this person. Your paths crossed in some way or another. You went from being strangers to being best friends. If you ask me, that has to be the coolest thing ever.