There are many creative and fun ways of keeping in touch with long distance friends. Don't let old friendships fizzle, rekindle them and keep them alive!
If you are like most of us in this world, you can probably count your closest friends on one hand. So realizing that you have lost touch with all, or even one of your friends, is quite unsettling. But the fact is, time and distance have a way of putting dents in relationships that you once thought would never end. Life becomes very busy after high-school or college. Without conscious effort, work, husbands, families, pets, and hobbies begin to take precedence over old friendships and become excuses as to why we don't keep in touch. But let's face it, our lives are fuller with friends! And although we become busier and busier every day, it's a fact that we can be close with our friends, even if they live far away.
Whether you'd like to rekindle an old friendship or need creative and fun ways to keep in touch with current friends, the first step is to commit to keeping the friendship alive, forever! After you do that, and with the following ideas, you'll soon find that you can have a great relationship and rewarding friendship with very little effort! Here are some ideas to help you show your love for your friends. Just remember, friendships are not a chore, they are gifts to be cherished, so have fun with it!
An old cliché, just a phone call away - Although you may not have the time to pick up the phone every evening to call one or all of your friends, try to make a commitment to call each of them at least one time a month. If you are like most of us, that's only 5-10 calls monthly! You have to admit, this can't do too much damage to your phone bill. Keep a "˜Calendar of Friendship' and mark which friend you last spoke to and on what day of the month. Note each call on your calendar, and commit to calling each friend at least once monthly. Be sure to keep your address book updated with current phone numbers and addresses, as it becomes more difficult and time consuming to keep in touch when you have old numbers. You'll soon find that a ten to fifteen minute phone call will mean the world to them and it will show your friend that, although you can't be there in person, you are thinking of them and care about what is happening in their lives. You'll soon find that they are picking up on the pattern, and soon they will return the gesture just as often!
Take Advantage of Email - With the ever growing world of the internet, there is a great way to keep in touch with friends, right at your fingertips! If you have access to a computer with an internet connection (your local library is sure to have free access), e-mail is a great way to send a spontaneous note. People love to receive new mail, and you'll find that they will reply to your message more often times than not! This is also a great way to set up lunch dates, or weekend getaways with groups of friends. Keep an "˜online' e-mail address book of your closest friends, and grab e-mail addresses of other friends that you have lost touch with from forwarded messages from other friends. Soon you'll see your list grow, and your inbox will soon be full as well!
Cards and Notes - Even with this great new technology at your disposal, don't forget that the handwritten word is still the best, and most personable way to show that you care. Buy a box of stationary and keep it in a place that you will see it on a daily basis. It only takes a few minutes and a stamp to send love to a friend, and they will appreciate the gesture and more than likely you'll see your mail box full of notes in the coming months! Weekend mornings are a great time to write notes to your friends. Before you read the paper or while you're drinking that first cup of coffee, write a couple of notes and send them out! This is a great way to keep in touch with those friends who don't have access to e-mail, but still care about you and want to hear from you! Be sure to include photos of children, pets, husbands, etc. to keep them updated on your life. It's also very important to remember Birthdays and important Holidays, so be sure to mark these dates on your "˜Calendar of Friendship,' and send out notes and cards for those special days. Your friends will be touched that you remembered, especially knowing how busy you are!
Small Gifts - Often times special occasions arise for your friends and you just can't be there in person to celebrate. For time like these, sending a small gift in the mail is a great way to show that you care and that you wish you could be there. For instance, if a friend has recently given birth, you can send a magazine subscription to a parents magazine. A year subscription is cheap, and lasts for a whole year. Your friend will be touched, and will think about you every month, when the mailman delivers that magazine! Not only will you be keeping in touch, but the new mother will have a great gift to share with her new arrival as well! This is a great idea for many occasions, for instance births, wedding planning, hobbies such as gardening or sports, or for sheer entertainment value! Other great gifts include small books on friendship, newspaper or magazine clippings on an area that interests your friend, small candles, lotions and oils, scented soaps, anything luxurious that shows that you care for her and want her to pamper herself!
Annual Get Togethers - Another great way to keep in touch with friends is planning an annual get together. Keep it at the same time of year so everyone becomes familiar with the trip. Usually there is a circle of friends that remain acquainted as years pass, so planning a trip allows everyone to spend time together. Camping is a great idea, as it is cheap and promotes group activities such as boating, swimming, campfires, bar-b-ques, spirits and fun, fun, fun! Adult slumber parties are fun as well, it's a great way to reminisce about old times, share finger foods or pizza, and giggle about boys (or husbands). Just remember, this is still a girl's only function!
So, as you see, keeping in touch with friends isn't such a chore, if you commit a small portion of your life to it. Friendships are rewarding, and losing them is sad. As we go through life, wonderful blessings enter and exit our lives, but true friendships should last forever. It's up to you to keep the flame burning, so be true to your friends and keep in touch!
