<p>Ummm.... I have an interesting situation that I'm not even sure if I feel too comfortable posting. The Internet is a big place, and I don't like discussing personal issues (Well, I guess it's not really an issue in the sense of what we're used to thinking...) on it. However it's really kind of bothering me.</p>
<p>Early during this summer, I made a new friend with a student from my university, UMich, and actually even met up with him after my orientation. (I'm actually joining a club this year that he helped to co-found three years ago.) He's been a great help in giving me advice about this coming school year and is actually too down to Earth (in my opinion) for his own good. He's one of those people that's easy to talk to and is extremely nice.</p>
<p>Now here's the kicker. He just graduated this spring and will be headed to another university (Notre Dame) this fall to begin grad school. (This was actually one of the things that surprised me the most about him. He's now a grad student that gave a lowly freshman the light of day.) I know that's not too far away, but it's still far enough.</p>
<p>This is in no way romantic (not what I'm looking for at all). All I want is to keep this friendship, and I'm willing to fight for it. It's one that's actually worth having. I have his e-mail and screen name for AIM (and he's a buddy on Facebook) so communication shouldn't really be a problem. It hasn't been throughout this entire summer. However, I'm still nervous. The friendship is new (well, since the beginning of June), and it doesn't help that we'll be at different schools with different schedules. </p>
<p>I think it's possible that this can work (with lots of effort), but it still makes me nervous. What do you think? (I guess I kind of just need some reassurance that this is actually possible.) Thanks in advance.</p>
<p>Of course it's possible, Reeses...both possible and potentially enriching and wonderful...particularly w/the ease of email/AIM type communication...it'll be particularly nice for both of you to have someone to bounce your new impressions off of as you wind down (or gear up) your days...</p>
<p>Enjoy your friend and don't worry about the logistics...they'll work out...</p>
<p>My kids have friends all over the country. Old ones from high school that they chat with daily, weekly, or monthly. They also have newer friends that they met at either camp, work, or through other friends. The newer friends they keep in contact with as often as the old friends. AIM and email has opened up a new world for student today. I only wish it had been around when I was in school; I know I would still be friends with several people had it only been easier to communicate with them!</p>
<p>If it's not a romantic interest, than it definitely is possible. I'm so thankful for instant messaging and e-mail and my cell phone so I can keep in contact with my old friends, as well as ones I've made at various places around the country. You may, and most likely, will not be as close after a while, because it's difficult (if not impossible) to keep as strong of a friendship after not spending any time together for so long. But if he is a friend that is worth the extra effort, go for it.</p>
<p>No, it's nothing romantic. Trust me. I'm saving that for someone that I may meet at my own school this coming year. :)</p>
<p>The only reason I'm nervous is because it's a new friendship, and friendships need time to develop trust, etc. as I'm sure you all know. I'm not the type that just starts trusting someone overnight. However, creating trust is made a little difficult if friends can't spend time together. Also, if time doesn't happen, it's much easier to lose contact with each other than it would be if we'd known each other for a long time. Even then, it's possible that we'd still lose contact with each other (Seesh... I'm a little tense about losing contact with my friends from high school that are going to colleges other than mine next year). It just depends. I think it'd be a completely different story if I had known him for a while because then I wouldn't need to worry as much about this. However, I haven't so it's a little more interesting. (Oh yeah. Did I mention that I'm known to worry a little troo much about pretty much everything? That may be part of it as well if you haven't guessed that fact about me already. ;))</p>
<p>I'm glad to hear that this may actually be possible though. :)</p>
