Being 20 and moving out on your own is
scary. What’s scarier? Being 20 and moving 522 km away from your family and
your best friend. For those of you who will be going to school or pursuing a career
in another city, or country even, we understand. This is the story of how we
held on and have become stronger ever since.
Dominique - I remember
most of my friends telling me not to go, and how much they’d miss me. But those
words never came out with Caroline. She always encouraged me to follow my
dreams. I remember one summer day while we were driving to a little town near
the city, we reached a stop light and she turned from the driver’s seat and
said: “I’m really proud of you and you’re being so brave.” I had tears in my
eyes. She genuinely wanted me to do well in life and she was pushing me towards
my goal.
Even when I came back home on my emergency
“I can’t do this anymore” trip, she clearly stated that she did not want to see
me wandering the streets of Ottawa for another while. That I should really try
and live the experience that I’d so determinedly wanted.
I've always admired her. To me, she’s
always been invincible. She’s a strong, kind, creative, honest woman. And
seeing that she was being strong when all I wanted was to crawl under my covers
and hide, inspired me to continue with my journey. I couldn't ask for a better
person to tell my secrets to. So the fact that we have grown stronger and into
different women and still have so much in common means a great deal.
Caroline - My closest
ally, partner in crime and personal therapist moved to a different city, and I
hated every minute of it. Although proud
to see that she was chasing her dreams and moving forward into adulthood, I was
selfishly bitter that I was to be left behind to fend for myself. No longer a
phone call and a short car ride away, we had to learn to make our situation
work.
Here’s what we did to minimize the distance
pains:
Skype
C - Sometimes, a text
conversation isn't enough. You need face to face conversations, to be able to
read facial expressions and just giggle together. We don’t do it very often,
but when we need girl time, it’s the first thing we go to.
Snail
Mail
C - We began sending
each other letters a few months into our split. We still do it to this day, and
on an irregular basis. Every time is a surprise. Some letters hold cries for
help, well wishes, pictures, fun facts or encouraging words. There’s something
magical about receiving a pretty envelope filled with delicate stationary and
hand written love.
D – I remember being
in a little town in Italy and finding some gorgeous stationary. I thought it
was perfect to send to Caroline so of course I bought it. I find it
heartwarming to receive something that’s homemade by mail. To know that that
person loves and cares about you enough to take the time and make you something
is reassuring.
Texting
C - We text. A lot.
It’s nothing obsessive or overwhelming. However, when my best friend is in
another city and my time is spent with boys and their toys, I want to text a
woman who doesn't make my ears bleed with computer facts and car parts. I share
funny stories and embarrassing happenings regularly, it keeps us up to date and
I find it important to share little things, that way our conversations aren't
always heavy.
D – To be honest, for
me texting can sometimes be bitter sweet. I feel sad that I can’t physically be
there to experience what she’s texting me about, but at the same time I feel
happy that she’s keeping me posted about daily quirks and mishaps. And I do the
same with her. It makes me feel like I’m not missing too much of her daily
life.
Phone
Calls
D – More often than
not, I’ll use this method when I’m on the road and don’t have access to a
computer and I know a text just won’t do what I've got to say justice. It’s
always nice to hear an actual laugh instead of getting an “LOL”.
There are so many different ways to keep connected but this is what
keeps us sane., and of course, there’s the odd visit, but we both understand
that money is tight and we make do with what we've got.
How do you guys
cope? Feel free to share your stories by commenting below or emailing lipsticklabels@gmail.com
As a bonus, here's a ridiculous Halloween picture from highschool. We thought we were so cool...
No comments:
Post a Comment