Long-Distance Bonds: Celebrating International Friendship Day Together

International Friendship Day on July 30 is a heartfelt reminder that physical distance doesn’t diminish true bonds. In today’s interconnected world, it’s common for friends to live in different countries or even on opposite sides of the globe. Migrants and diaspora communities especially know this to be true; they carry their friendships across borders and time zones, proving that friendship can thrive no matter the miles between. This July 30, as we mark International Friendship Day 2025, it’s worth celebrating how these long-distance friendships stay strong through messages, memories, calls, and simply being there when it matters most.

What is International Friendship Day?

International Friendship Day is an annual observance dedicated to the love and appreciation shared between friends. The United Nations officially declared July 30 as the International Day of Friendship in 2011, and since then, it has been celebrated worldwide on that date. The day’s purpose is not only to celebrate personal friendships but also to promote harmony between different cultures and countries, underscoring how friendship can build bridges between communities. The International Friendship Day date is the same each year; in 2025, it falls on Wednesday, July 30 2025. Many countries and cultures embrace this day as an opportunity to recognize the friends who add meaning and joy to our lives. Whether called International Friendship Day or World Friendship Day, the sentiment is universal: it’s a time to reach out and cherish those special people we call friends.

On this day, people often exchange messages or gifts, share memories, and make a point to reconnect. The UN encourages activities that foster solidarity and mutual understanding in communities. But you can celebrate in simple, personal ways too, for example, by taking the time to call or meet a friend (even if virtually) and letting them know how much their friendship means to you. Friendship is a universal concept, yet it’s also deeply personal. No matter how you define a “friend,” International Friendship Day is about honoring those relationships built on trust, care, and affection.

Friendship Beyond Borders

In an era of global migration and digital connectivity, friendship beyond borders has become a common story. There are now hundreds of millions of people living outside their country of birth; over 280 million international migrants as of 2020, which means countless friendships are spread across different cities, countries, and continents. For many in diaspora communities, friends back home remain as close as ever in their hearts, even if oceans apart. And in their new homes, these migrants often form fresh friendships that become a new kind of family. People who move abroad frequently come to treat close friends like chosen family, especially when their actual family is far away.

Leaving one’s home country inevitably means leaving behind friends, those college buddies, childhood pals, or neighbors we used to see every day. Migrating impacts friendships because suddenly you’re not there for the little day-to-day moments; you have to consciously work to stay in touch. The initial period after moving can feel lonely or “socially empty,” as one researcher put it. But true friends find ways to bridge that gap. Despite time zone differences and busy schedules, distance need not translate into emotional distance. As one article on diaspora friendships noted, modern technology and genuine effort mean geographic separation “often fails to diminish the bonds of friendship”. In other words, if both friends are willing to put in a little care and attention, their relationship can remain as strong and rewarding as ever.

Consider a common scenario: one friend moves abroad for a job or studies while the other stays behind. In the beginning, they promise to talk often, but as months go by, calls become rare. Different time zones and daily responsibilities get in the way. The friend back home might start feeling forgotten, and the friend who moved might feel guilty for not keeping up. It’s a challenge many migrants face, sustaining those old friendships when you’re no longer in the same place. Yet countless people manage to do it. How? Through creativity, consistency, and a lot of heartfelt communication. Long-distance friendships require intentional care to keep them alive. Both sides may need to adjust and empathize: the friend who moved must understand that life went on back home (and their pals might feel a bit abandoned), while the friend who stayed should realize the newcomer is juggling a whole new world of responsibilities. With mutual understanding, they can find a new rhythm that works for their friendship.

Ultimately, distance teaches friends not to take each other for granted. Every chat, every text, every visit becomes something to cherish. Migrants often schedule their days around international phone calls or save up vacation days for a reunion. They may even form new routines, like watching the same TV show and discussing it online, or doing a weekly virtual coffee date, that replace the face-to-face hangouts they used to have. As one social psychologist explained, when regular proximity is gone, it takes conscious effort to maintain closeness. The beautiful truth, proven by diaspora communities everywhere, is that with effort and love, friendships can flourish across any distance.

Keeping Long-Distance Friendships Strong

So, how do people keep long-distance friendships thriving? Whether you’re a migrant missing friends back home or you simply have a dear friend on the other side of the world, there are plenty of ways to nurture your bond. Here are some tried-and-true strategies that diaspora communities use to keep friendships alive across borders:

Make Communication a Priority

Staying in touch regularly is the lifeline of a long-distance friendship. It sounds obvious, but it’s easy to let weeks or months slip by. Strong long-distance friends often schedule regular check-ins, for instance, a standing video chat every Sunday morning or a phone call during your commute on Fridays. Setting a predictable time helps bypass busy schedules and conflicting time zones. Research shows that long-lasting friendships have a balance of reciprocity – both sides reaching out and sharing equally. Even if life gets hectic, a quick “thinking of you” message or a voice note can go a long way. Find communication methods that work best for both of you, whether it’s texting, emails, voice messages, or live calls. What matters is being present in each other’s lives consistently, in whatever small ways you can manage.

Embrace Technology (Thoughtfully)

Technology is a true friend for friends in different places. Social media, messaging apps, and video calls have made it easier than ever to feel close despite the miles. Group chats can recreate the feeling of all your friends joking in the same room, even if one’s in Dubai, another in London, and another in Lagos. Sharing photos, memes, and daily life updates keeps the everyday connection alive. Some diaspora friend groups even start a dedicated WhatsApp or Messenger group where everyone shares little moments of their day, so no one feels left out. At the same time, it helps to be thoughtful about tech use. Sometimes, a simple voice call can be more fulfilling than a video chat. Studies found that seeing loved ones on video can intensify the pain of missing them for some people. Hearing a familiar voice on the phone, without the visual reminder of distance, can be surprisingly intimate and comforting. And while texting is convenient, it can feel impersonal or limiting compared to hearing genuine laughter or emotion in someone’s voice. The key is to use technology in ways that genuinely connect you: maybe that means setting up virtual movie nights (several streaming services let you watch a show together simultaneously), or sending short video clips back and forth, or just agreeing on a time to talk when you’re both free of distractions. Digital tools are a lifeline, use them creatively, but don’t be afraid to pick up the phone for a good old-fashioned chat either.

Share Memories and Make New Ones

One charming way long-distance friends stay close is by reminiscing and creating new shared experiences, even from afar. Telling old stories, “Remember when we…?”, reinforces your unique bond and often leads to hearty laughs or mutual nostalgia. Separated friends and family often reminisce about times they lived together as a way to feel close and even imagine a future reunion. Don’t just dwell in the past, though; continue to make new memories together. This can be as simple as reading the same book or watching the same Netflix series and then discussing it like you would over coffee. Psychologists note that shared activities release oxytocin, the bonding hormone, and even doing them virtually can trigger those positive feelings. You might start a little tradition or ritual despite the distance: for example, both of you cook the same recipe on a video call, or celebrate your “friendversary” each year by exchanging e-cards or letters. Studies suggest that such rituals, even corny ones like an annual virtual game night, create emotional stability and closeness from afar. Some friends set goals together, like training for a long-distance race “together” in their separate cities, or planning a trip that they’ll take when they next meet. Planning for the future is important; having a reunion or vacation to look forward to strengthens your connection and gives you both something happy on the horizon. It keeps the friendship forward-looking and not just rooted in what was.

Celebrate Milestones and Special Days

In a long-distance friendship, you might not be there in person for your friend’s birthdays, holidays, or other big life moments, but you can still celebrate them wholeheartedly. Make the extra effort to remember important dates like birthdays, anniversaries, or even local festivals that matter to your friend. When those days come, send a card, make a video montage, or organize a surprise group call with mutual friends. Little gestures mean a lot. In fact, despite all the digital options, a survey found that sending an actual birthday card through the mail was still the most popular way to convey birthday wishes in the UK, showing that tangible tokens of care haven’t lost their charm. If postage is slow, you can also send an e-card or a heartfelt email, but the key is to mark the occasion. Many friends also send each other care packages across the globe; maybe a box of local treats or a souvenir that says “thinking of you. These days, even sending gifts or financial help abroad is easier; a quick online money transfer can deliver a birthday present or emergency funds to a friend in need within minutes. Sometimes, helping a friend pay an unexpected bill or funding a plane ticket for them to visit can be the most meaningful gift of all! And of course, International Friendship Day itself is a perfect occasion to reach out. Consider writing a message or letter on July 30 to tell your faraway friends how much they mean to you. It’s a simple act that can brighten their day and strengthen your bond.

Be Supportive and Understanding

Every friendship faces ups and downs, and distance can sometimes add misunderstandings. That’s why empathy and honesty are so crucial in long-distance bonds. Make it a point to share what’s going on in your lives, not just the Instagram-worthy highlights. Opening up about challenges, feelings, and even the difficulties of living apart can bring you closer. Research shows that emotional disclosure (sharing your true thoughts and feelings) deepens relationships, and the quality of communication matters more than quantity. So, if you’re having a tough week in your new country, don’t hesitate to confide in your friend back home; likewise, listen when they vent about their struggles. Being honest and vulnerable fosters trust and understanding. Also, practice patience with each other. Time differences or busy periods (like exam season or a new job) may temporarily disrupt your regular chats, don’t take it personally. Instead, acknowledge each other’s realities: the friend who stayed might sometimes feel lonely or worried they’re “out of sight, out of mind,” while the friend who moved might feel overwhelmed balancing a new life. By reassuring each other that “we’re still in this, even if we don’t talk every day,” you reinforce that the friendship is solid. Support can be tangible too. If your distant friend is going through something major, a health issue, a family loss, or even a happy event like a wedding, find ways to be there for them. That could mean flying out for the occasion if you can, or more often, finding creative substitutes: attending via live-stream, sending a thoughtful gift or care package, rallying other local friends to help them, or simply dedicating extra time to listen. When friends are separated by borders, these thoughtful acts are the equivalent of a hug or a shoulder to lean on. They show your friend that no matter the distance, they can always count on you.

Plan Reunions (Whenever Possible)

Finally, there’s nothing like meeting in person after a long time apart. If circumstances allow, plan visits to each other or set up a destination where you can both travel and meet for a few days. Diaspora friends often make it a point to visit home every year or two, scheduling meetups with the old gang each time. Seeing each other face-to-face, giving a real hug, and spending quality time together will rejuvenate your friendship in a way that even daily texts cannot. Communication experts call it “friendship renewal”, those periodic in-person encounters that infuse fresh energy into the relationship. Even if you can’t meet often, just planning a reunion can be powerful. Anticipating a future trip or holiday together, even if it’s a year or more away, gives both friends a happy goal to cherish. And when you finally do reunite, it often feels like no time has passed at all. Many long-distance friends say that when they meet after years apart, they pick up right where they left off, chatting for hours and laughing until their cheeks hurt, as if they were never separated. Those moments are magical and remind you why all the effort to stay in touch was worth it. So, keep that shared future in mind. It could be a big reunion party with old classmates next summer, a road trip you’ve always talked about, or simply a cozy week of visiting each other’s new homes. Whatever it is, make a plan and make it happen when you can. The memories you create will carry you through the next time apart.

Celebrating Friendship Across the Miles

On International Friendship Day 2025, let’s take a moment to honor not only the friendships that are nearby but also the ones that stretch across countries and continents. Long-distance bonds remind us that true friendship is measured not by geography, but by love, loyalty, and shared history. You don’t have to live on the same street, or even in the same time zone, to stay connected. Migrants and diaspora communities around the world prove this every day, keeping deep and meaningful connections alive despite the miles between them. Their friendships thrive through late-night calls, voice notes that cross oceans, surprise gifts, and showing up emotionally when it matters most.

This International Day of Friendship, send a message to that friend you haven’t spoken to in a while. Share a memory that still makes you laugh, or let them know you’re thinking of them. Hop on a video call, plan a virtual hangout, or surprise them with a thoughtful gesture. You could even send a small gift, a top-up, or some much-needed support through a trusted service like sendvalu. It’s these little acts of care that help friendships grow stronger over time, especially when distance challenges the everyday.

At sendvalu, we understand the emotional value behind every message, every transfer, every moment of connection. That’s why we’re proud to support people around the world in staying close to those who matter most, whether it’s by helping you send a birthday surprise, contribute during a difficult time, or just say “I’m here for you.” On days like International Friendship Day, we’re especially reminded of the importance of standing by our friends, no matter where life has taken us.

So, this July 30, join us at sendvalu in celebrating the incredible power of friendship. Let’s continue to bridge distances with kindness, care, and connection.

Explore how you can send love, support, and surprises across the globe. Browse our full list of countries and services HERE.