[IMPORTANT: Make this 4 times longer with much more detail]
Credits: Image Courtesy of Anavic Rijo and Thatiana Diaz By Maria Lavandera February 10, 2025 – 09:00 In Confieso que he vivido , Chilean poet Pablo Neruda dedicates his autobiographical work to his friends—those who stood by him during exile, through moments of loneliness and homesickness: “ For my friends, for those who were my homeland in the days of solitude. To them, my endless embrace of gratitude. “ Just as Neruda found solace and belonging through friendship, today’s connections remain vital, even in our digital world. True friends—those who celebrate our wins, help us through challenges, and embrace our authentic selves—anchor us, whether near or far. In Always Cerca , our collaborative series with AT&T, we celebrate this enduring bond by showcasing real-life stories of Latinas who use technology to stay close to their loved ones and nurture meaningful relationships. The 2023 U.S. Surgeon General ‘s advisory addressed what it calls an epidemic of loneliness and isolation affecting half of American adults, even before the COVID-19 pandemic. The publication designated this phenomenon an urgent public health concern. Stay connected! Subscribe now and get the latest on culture, empowerment, and more. SIGN ME UP! This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and Google Privacy Policy and the Terms of Service . Thank You! You are already subscribed to our newsletter The report equates the harm of loneliness to smoking 15 cigarettes daily and highlights its profound impact on both individual and societal well-being, increasing risks of cardiovascular disease, depression, dementia, and premature death. In short, friendships can save your life—literally. Latinos worldwide instinctively honor this truth. Their remarkable ability to create and maintain close-knit social networks throughout life is highlighted in the World Happiness Report 2024 as key to their self-perceived well-being and contentment, despite broader life challenges. For this community, friendships transcend casual bonds. Just as family connections are vital, friendships are essential and as cherished as blood ties. Friends are the “hermanos” and “hermanas” life gives us, standing by us for better or worse. This is precisely the case with Thatiana Diaz—Editor-in-Chief at HipLatina—and Anavic Rijo—Event manager & co-founder of lifestyle brand AFG—two New York-born and raised Latinas who have forged a deep friendship over 14 years. Since meeting in college, they’ve been inseparable. “[What kept us together is] probably her non-judgmental nature; I always felt she was a friend who, no matter what phase of life I was going through, would always be there to support me,” says Anavic, with infectious charm. Since meeting, Thatiana and Anavic “just clicked,” finding effortless comfort in each other’s company. Their friendship has flourished through years of shared moments—running errands, enjoying after-work drinks, discussing current events on their couches, cooking Latin recipes, or simply being together. Thatiana describes their friendship as “a comfort,” a space where presence alone suffices. “We could just sit there, and I don’t have to be doing anything extra. We meet each other at any energy level. She is the one friend that, from A to Z, I could do everything with,” she adds. In 2020, their friendship faced a challenge when Thatiana decided to move to Miami with her fiancé, while Anavic stayed in New York. “It was devastating; if she posts anything on Instagram about Miami, you can probably see a comment from me complaining,” Anavic says with a laugh, revealing their deep bond. “Obviously, I was supportive and happy for her. I knew it was a long-term goal of hers. It’s always beautiful to see someone do something they truly want. But I was like, ‘I’m not enough to make you stay here?’” she adds, half-joking. Yet this distance has only strengthened their relationship. Technology has become their bridge, even though both admit to being “very bad texters.” “FaceTime has truly been our connector; that’s something we just do,” Anavic says. They check in with each other every week or two. Technology helps them maintain their connection despite adult responsibilities and distance. “In college, when we first met, we were experiencing everything together. Our devices have allowed us to take that experience into adulthood and share things seamlessly. When she goes on vacation, she sends me photos, and I feel like I’m part of her adventures. Or during difficult moments—it’s public knowledge that I’ve been dealing with fertility issues. Technology has allowed us to stay in constant contact. We were going through it together. I left the doctor’s office and was immediately on the phone with her. I never felt that day like I was holding it in by myself.” Their digital connection thrives on sharing social media content, says Thatiana. “It’s just memes or quotes—little things we see that remind us of each other. I think it’s even nicer than a text sometimes because it shows that I was thinking of her when I saw that post.” They reserve texting for urgent matters. “If there’s a text, we know something major that can’t wait has happened. If there’s a text, I’m paying attention,” Anavic says playfully. Their bond runs deeper than any other relationship—even with their partners. “We both have been with our partners for a long time. People may think that’s the ultimate satisfaction. But some friendships are too unique, and no other relationship can replace them. No one understands me as she does. There are experiences only a friend can truly understand. Whether it’s career questions—I admire her work ethic and perspective—or even discussions about menstrual cycles. She’s someone I can fully trust. We’ve vetted all of our personality traits,” Anavic says. “And technology has made me feel like we can be there for each other, no matter how far apart we may be physically.” Thatiana agrees: “My husband knows me at one moment in time. But there’s another value in long-term friendships. She’s seen me at many different moments in my life that my husband hasn’t—when I was single, at the start of my career, in college. She’s seen more of my growth than my husband because she’s known me longer. When you build such a bond, you choose this person. You choose them every day.” Throughout our conversation, Thatiana and Anavic exchange warm glances as they share their story. Even through the screen, the magic of true friendship radiates. 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