BBYO has taught me so much, but the greatest thing it has taught me is the power of friendship. Not only that, it has taught me the power of first impressions. Let’s take it back to the beginning of my BBYO journey. Joining my region and chapter in 8th grade was terrifying. Some people I met in those first couple of months are some of my best friends to this day. We instantly clicked in those first moments of meeting each other. A year later, when Summer 2022 rolled around, it was time for me to embark on my next BBYO adventure: CLTC 4! That first day was spent meeting the other teens and getting to know them. The first photo in my camera roll of my time at CLTC is from dinner that first night. What I did not know then is that the seeming strangers in this photo would turn out to be my new best friends. Fast forwarding to Summer 2023, I found myself back with familiar faces and new ones at Kallah. One of the girls I met on the second day of Kallah turned into one of my BBYO best friends. 

Long-distance friendships are one of the most rewarding but gut-wrenching experiences. I spend every day wishing I could drive over to their house. Or just be able to hug them. But no matter how difficult this is, it is also one of the most amazing things. It also makes reuniting with them that much better. It is bittersweet to not be able to see my long-distance besties every day. But, maybe that is what makes these friendships so special. I speak for every teen in BBYO when I say that we appreciate these friendships in such a unique way. I take no moment for granted with these people and trust them in ways I never thought possible.

How special is it that BBYO has provided me along with every other teen with familiar faces around the globe. As Winnie the Pooh once said, “How lucky am I to have something so special, that makes saying goodbye so hard.” We might not see each other every day. We might only be able to count on one hand the amount of times we have seen each other in person. But, no matter how long we have spent together, these friendships have unlocked a new level of friendship: a level of friendship you can only get with long distance.