Soar With Syd

Let me set the scene: the year is 2014. I’m 16 years old, sitting in an almost empty cruise ship buffet in Hawaii, drinking tea. Across from me is Jessica.

Instead of joining the other teens in their adult supervised activities, we slipped away to have tea. She loved tea, and even though I normally couldn’t care less, I wanted her to tell me all about it. At the time, it felt like nothing significant, but it was actually the beginning of one of the greatest friendships of my life.

After the cruise, we stayed in touch through Facebook. Soon, we were talking every single day. Despite living a seven-hour flight apart, me in the U.S. and her in Canada, our friendship only grew stronger.

When I graduated high school in 2016, the only gift I wanted was to visit her. My parents made it happen, and that trip showed us that distance didn’t mean our friendship had to fade. Since then, I’ve flown back once, and she has visited me twice. This November, I’ll return to Canada for her wedding. Not just as a guest, but as part of her wedding party. And just six months later, she’ll stand by my side at mine. For the first time since we met, we already know we’ll see each other twice in the same year.

So what have I learned about long distance friendship?

Make friends when you travel.

I understand the appeal of traveling solo, but connecting with like-minded people makes the experience that much better. Even if you never meet again, you’ll always share that memory.

Don’t be afraid of goodbyes.

You never know when your next hello will be.

Some people really do stay in touch.

It’s easy to add someone on social media and never talk again, but every once in a while, you find someone who truly wants to keep that connection alive.

Put in the effort.

Friendship, especially long-distance, takes effort. Reach out often. Keep the Snapchat streak alive (ours is 3,277 days and counting). Send selfies, cards, and presents. Send invitations even when you know they can’t attend. The small gestures add up and make the distance feel less heavy.

My final thoughts on making friends when you travel

Friendship doesn’t have to be defined by miles. The people you meet on your travels might end up shaping your life in ways you never expected. Jessica and I bonded over a simple cup of tea on a cruise ship, and over a decade later we’re still showing up for each other in the biggest moments of our lives.

So, the next time you travel, say yes to the conversation, the cup of tea, or the adventure with someone new. You never know when you’ve met someone who is meant to be in your life forever.