The Thing About Long Distance Friendships...

Gabriel and I circa 2012

For those of you who don't know, one of my best friends goes to college 1,300 miles away in Saint Paul, Minnesota, while I reside in good ol' New Hay Hay, Connecticut. And that person? None other than good ol' Gabriel. 

Gabriel and I met about four years ago in my senior expository writing class, where all we did was sit around and talk for the entire period. When I first met them, I honestly was attracted to them. (I'm not anymore) However, by the end of the semester we became fast friends. The next semester we happened to have another class together-sociology. (Another senior year elective where we did absolutely nothing) We dominated that corner where they bought in pretzels on the daily and had our teacher yell at us for bringing unhealthy foods in the am. (aka Cheeseits)
When I graduated, I was unsure about what was going to happen with the majority of my friendships. During the summer, I lost touch with a good portion of my friends because I was on my way to going to college. However, Gabriel wasn't one of those people. In fact, we frequently stayed in touch and went for long walks.
Throughout my first year of college, I became closer to Gabriel but also to their family. I had gotten to know their parents as well as their sister Bethany. They are the most welcoming people I've ever met. I always go to their mother whenever I need advice and consider their little sister to be my own in some ways.
When Gabriel left to go to Minnesota in the fall of 2013, I honestly wasn't sure what was going to happen. Everything was going to change surely. They were about to embark on an adventure and meet new people. They would eventually try new things and work on improving themselves for the better.
However, as we grew in entirely different directions, we managed to remain friends. Close friends, even. We argue, yet they are the type of people that I can't stay mad at forever. I guess sometimes people fall into your life for a reason.  Some of this reason is good, while sometimes you just can't figure out why they are there. Gabriel's been there for me for the good, bad and ugly. They were there when I failed my driving test, they were there when I finally passed it and they were there as I went through my many freak outs. (And there were many)
As they say in "Toy Story", Gabriel "you've got a friend in me." Thanks for being so awesome. Also, if you happen to be reading this...don't get a big head over this...;)

Gabriel and I...last week.

Goodbye, Friend.

On Wednesday, Gabriel went back to college at Mac for their spring semester. Unlike last year, Gabriel won't be coming home for spring break. So, I might be able to see them until May. Although I'm quite sad that they are leaving, I am happy that they are going to be in a place that they are going to be happy.

Through out the break, we've had our ups and our downs. However, I've realized how lucky that I am to have them in my life and to be my friend. I am always there for them even if they are over a thousand miles away. Over the years, they have become one of my nearest and dearest friends. I hope that they know how much I love them and care about them.

So, goodbye Gabriel! Good luck with your semester. See you on Skype and the interwebs!

"It's Not A Goodbye, It's a See You Later"

Here he is making me pancakes!

My Fave!

Yesterday, I had to say good bye to my best friend Gabriel who was heading back to the Twin Cities. He goes to school at Maclaster College, which is pretty far away from where I currently am. (Over one thousand miles, isn't that crazy?)
Saying goodbye to someone is never easy. When I said goodbye to Alessia, my friend in Italy, it was hard because I didn't know when I was going to see her again. Or even if, because plane tickets are expensive. With that being said, saying goodbye to Gabriel wasn't bad because we knew one thing. We would see each other when he got back.
Over the break, it's safe to say that I have spent most of my time with him. I feel bad for ditching my other friends, however I hope that they understand that the fact that he's not here everyday makes the time that I do get to spend with him very precious. Towards the end of his time here, we try to spend as much time humanly possible together because we know that this is truly it. We usually try to take a bunch of pictures (my doing) so we can have them when we are apart. We have a ritual where we would eat pizza together, and get Starbucks, which we do. We said goodbye yesterday as he dropped me off to work. We ate lunch together, and I went to his father's church service. (His parents are ministers)
Even though the goodbye was sad, I knew that I would be seeing him again in March when he comes home for Spring Break. That means I'll see him in less than 60 days. The last time, it was a lot harder because I knew that I wouldn't see him until there was snow on the ground. I also didn't know what I would be expecting when he left.
I realized something too. I realized that no matter how far we go from each other, I will always have him as a friend. I learned that distance truly shouldn't affect your friendship. I do think it changes it because we're no longer living in the same time zone. You have to realize that both parties have things going on. For example we try to talk on the phone at least once a month, skype as much as humanly possible, and make sure that we text as much as we can. He's my best friend, and I truly realized that as he went away. When we were reunited, it felt like we technically weren't apart. That, my friend, is the true meaning of friendship.
So Herb, I will miss you very much. However, I hope that you have a great semester. I hope that you have a great time, and I hope that when you get back in March we will have lots of fun adventures ahead of us. Here's to the Starbucks, and to the good times. I love you, and it's really not a good bye. It's a see you in March kind of thing.