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Distance can be one of the hardest parts of any relationship. Whether you're miles away from a partner, missing a family celebration, or just wishing you could share a simple cup of coffee with your best friend, that pang of longing is a powerful feeling. It’s the feeling that sparks the phrase, "I wish I was there." It’s a simple sentiment, but it holds a world of love, support, and yearning.
Finding the right words to bridge that distance can feel tricky. You want to express how much you miss someone without sounding just sad, and you want to share in their joy even when you can't be there to celebrate. (And for the record, whether you say "I wish I *was*..." or the grammatically traditional "I wish I *were*...", the heartfelt meaning is exactly the same!) This guide is here to help you put that powerful emotion into words. Below are lists of messages perfect for letting someone know, no matter the reason, that you wish you were right there by their side.
For Romantic Longing & Long-Distance Love
When you’re separated from your partner, every moment can feel like an eternity. These messages are for expressing that deep, romantic yearning to close the distance, even if just for a moment.
- I just saw the most beautiful sunset and my first thought was, "I wish I was watching this with you."
- Every time my phone buzzes, I hope it's you. Every time it isn't, I wish I were there so I wouldn't need to check my phone at all.
- Falling asleep is the hardest part of the day, because I wish I was falling asleep next to you.
- I'm having a good day, but the only thing that could make it perfect is if I were sharing it with you.
- My home doesn't quite feel like home without you in it. I wish you were here.
- I heard our song today and just stood there smiling. I wish I was dancing with you in the kitchen right now.
- Thinking about all the things we’ll do when we're together again. Until then, know that I wish I were with you every second.
- This distance is temporary, but my love for you is permanent. Still, I wish I was there to show you in person.
- I would trade anything right now to be holding your hand.
- Counting down the days, but tonight, I really, really wish I were there.
For Best Friends Who Are Far Apart
A best friend is a platonic soulmate, and being apart can feel like a piece of you is missing. Use these messages to remind your bestie that no amount of distance can break your bond.
- Our favorite show just dropped a new season and it feels illegal to watch it without you. I wish you were here on the couch with me!
- Something hilarious just happened, and it’s not as funny because I can’t immediately turn and tell you about it. I wish I was there!
- I walked past our old coffee shop today and got hit with a major wave of missing you. I wish we were sitting there right now, talking for hours.
- You are the only person who would truly get why this day was so weird/amazing/annoying. I wish I were there to debrief with you over a bottle of wine.
- Life is so much less exciting without my partner in crime. I wish you were here causing trouble with me!
- I know you're having an amazing time on your trip, but I'm selfishly counting the days until you're back. I wish I was there making memories with you!
- Saw something in a store today that was so unapologetically *you*. I wish I was there to buy it for you.
- Just want you to know you're my first text when anything good or bad happens. I wish I were there to hear it all in person.
For Family During Special Moments
Missing a holiday, a birthday, a graduation, or just a Sunday dinner can be tough. These messages help you send your love and feel present in spirit when you can't be there in person.
- The house feels a little too quiet today. I wish I was there, adding to the family chaos and laughter. Happy Birthday from afar!
- I can almost smell Mom’s cooking from here. Thinking of you all and wishing I were at the table with everyone.
- Happy Anniversary to my favorite parents! I'm raising a glass to you from here, but I wish I was there to give you both a huge hug.
- Congratulations on your graduation! I am so incredibly proud of you. I wish I was there in the crowd, cheering louder than anyone.
- Thinking of you today and sending all my love. I wish I could be there to hold your hand and just sit with you.
- Even though I'm not there, I hope you can feel my love and pride surrounding you. I wish I were celebrating with you all.
- Tell Grandpa I said hi and that I wish I was there to lose to him in cards again.
- Missing our family traditions today. I'll be doing my own version from here, but I wish I were doing them with you.
When You See Their Success from Afar
Your friend, partner, or sibling just got a promotion, launched a project, or achieved a major goal. You’re bursting with pride, but can’t be there to celebrate.
- I just saw your announcement! I'm so incredibly proud of you. I wish I was there to pop the champagne and celebrate you properly!
- You did it! I knew you would. My only regret is that I can't be there to see the look on your face. I wish I were celebrating with you.
- Hearing about your success made my entire week. You deserve all of this and more. I wish I was there to tell you that in person.
- I am cheering you on so loudly from all these miles away! Congratulations on your amazing achievement.
- You are absolutely crushing it, and I'm not surprised at all. I wish I were there to give you the world's biggest high-five.
- This is HUGE! We need to schedule a celebration call, but just know that I wish I was there to treat you to a fancy dinner.
- Your hard work paid off in such a big way. I'm so inspired by you. I wish I was there to see you shine.
For Everyday Moments & Simple Check-Ins
Sometimes, the longing isn't tied to a big event. It's the quiet, everyday moments you wish you could share. These messages are for those "just because" instances of missing someone.
- It's a beautiful, lazy Sunday morning. Perfect for a walk. I wish I was walking with you.
- I just made a huge pot of coffee, and it made me wish you were here to share it with me.
- I'm watching the rain and all I can think about is how much I wish we were curled up watching a movie together.
- Just had one of those small, perfect moments that I wanted to share with you. I wish you were here to see it.
- My day was fine, but I have this lingering feeling that it would have been great if you were in it.
- Just driving and thinking of you. I wish I was on my way to pick you up right now.
- This is random, but I miss your face. I wish I were looking at it right now (not on a screen!).
- Just a simple, quiet "I wish you were here" kind of night.
Short & Sweet Texts for a Quick "I Miss You"
For when you need to send a quick burst of love and longing. These short messages are perfect for a text that gets straight to the heart.
- Wish you were here.
- Thinking of you. Wish I was with you.
- This would be better with you.
- Missing you extra today. Wish I were there.
- I wish I was there so bad right now.
- Can you just teleport here? I wish you were here!
- My day's missing its most important piece: you.
- Seriously, I wish I was there.
- Just a text to say I wish I were beside you.
No matter which words you choose, the most important thing is the feeling behind them. Feel free to use these messages as a starting point and add a personal detail—a shared memory, an inside joke, or a specific thing you miss. Your words are a bridge, and sending a heartfelt message is a beautiful way to make the distance feel just a little bit smaller.