Long distance friendships

[Alemap]

I have been living on the other side of the country from my two oldest and best friends, and numerous other close ones, for more than five years.
I don't call as often as I should, but I think about and talk about them all the time, always call and send gifts for their birthdays or to cheer them up when things are hard or just randomly to give them a nice surprise, and follow them closely on FB (and phone immediately if I see something that worries me, like a particularly unhappy status). Even if we don't talk every week, we're still as tight as peas in a pod, and whenever we do see each other, it's still easy and natural and joyous - nothing has changed. Perhaps it is insecure of me to take a little comfort in the fact that, despite the fact they have both made new close friends since I moved away, neither of them has ever found anyone to replace me as their best friend. I certainly haven't replaced them, either.
I actually said to one of them, just a couple of days ago, "You give me faith for my ability to maintain an LDR, because the one I have with you is wildly successful." ;-)
Not the same situation, I know - frankly, if I went a couple of months without phoning my beau, that would seem outright cruel and nasty, and I'd half-expect to be dropped for it - but still, it's nice to have that reassurance that absence really doesn't automatically erode bonds in every case.

[AEAS]

Back in Middleschool All my friends were LD pretty much. I don't have contact with any of them anymore though And I really miss them, since they were my friends for years and years before we all lost contact.

[Bethypoo]

When I moved to Oregon for school, I left all of my friends. And I am a person who has many acquaintances but I pride myself on the fact that I can count my friends, the real ones, on one hand. Some of us talk more than others. Most of us it is once a week at the most but usually once a month via Skype or phone.

My best friend and I are like sisters though and talk like we are just that. We talk about 4 times a week on the phone and AT THE LEAST text on and off through the day. Id obviously prefer to be there with them, and i love the people i've met here. But its not the same. It all take work. But it has all worked out and has made s stronger.

[Bobbiejeanne]

My two Best Friends go to two different colleges in the US, one in Ohio, and one decided to stay a little closer to home in Sonoma, CA (to actually close the distance between her and her LDR)
Honestly, the better the friendship, the more likely it'll survive. The three of us can have "skype dates" and we just pick up right where we left off. In fact, my friend in Ohio was the first person I called after the big problem me and my SO had.
I couldn't imagine a life without them! They're my rocks

[dukes2011]

I have a TON of long distance friendships because I grew up in MD, went to undergrad in VA, and then moved to NY for grad school. When I first got to NY I didn't know anyone. It's been tough keeping in touch with people but the great thing is you always pick up where you left off whether it's in person or over Skype or even just Facebook.

One of my good friends from undergrad moved to TN because she landed an awesome job so she was in the same boat as me. We talk all the time and we're constantly texting each other. I also keep in touch with a few high school friends and a lot of sorority sisters and roommates from college. It's tough not having her around for random things like coffee dates, so a lot of times we'll eat dinner together over Skype and just chat. Also, my old roommate and I always make sure we discuss the latest "How I Met Your Mother" episode.