Would you just stop meeting this friend? (long)

DS#1 essentially played with this one kid everyday while we lived in Manhattan. DS's friend had an older brother and my son was friends with the younger brother and they played together while the older brother was at school. We went to the playground, one another's apts, ate lunch, took classes together but rarely got together on the weekends when the older brother was out of school.

We eventually moved out of state and they still live in Manhattan. My DS ADORES this friend and used to ask for him daily for the first 6 months after we moved. It broke my heart. Every time we went to NY, we would go out of our way to meet up with DS's friend. We have been going up to NY less and less. The last time we saw this friend was right before summer and the mom said they may visit us here in Virginia. My son was incredibly excited at the idea of a sleepover and essentially spent the entire summer asking when this friend was coming. I used to say they did not have a car but the last time we went, the mom said they would look into taking the train. for an entire year, DS used to ask me to buy them a car so they could drive to come play at our house.

Would you just stop meeting this friend?

He finally stopped asking about this friend. The family is wonderful but they are Manhattanites who rarely even leave the UES. We used to complain what a hassle it was to even go to the west side with a double stroller. DH and I have a lot of other friends that are hard enough to keep in touch with. I don't mind going out of my way to meet them but I don't want my son's feelings to get hurt all the time.

Re: Would you just stop meeting this friend? (long)

i don't understand why you would just stop meeting with them? Why can't they be a long distance friend? Can you explain to your DS that you guys live long distances from each other and that you won't be seeing them often, but that when you do it will be a special treat.

Do you and the mom get along and want to continue a friendship? or is this purely for the kids?
if its just the kids, and you live several states from each other, then maybe i can see letting the friendship lapse over time.

But if they're really special friends and want to continue can you set up skype sessions?
Have you and the mom agreed on a time for them to come visit, or is this one of those 'yeah we'd love to' but you know it will never happen situations?