I met my boyfriend a year before he left on his mission. We started dating only six months before he left. I’m a non-member, so hearing about this two year mission thing left me sitting there like… “E-mail?”

But I've learned since. And there's a few things I've picked up on. If you're a missionary girlfriend, you feel me.

1. You’re probably on a first-name basis with the mailman.

I am. Hey, Patty. How are the kids?

2. The number of times you think they should really be able to FaceTime.

Or just a phone call. It can’t be that distracting to talk for just a few minutes, can it?

3. You're really excited whenever you see other missionaries.

Awwwh my babe is walking around just like this. Oh no I hope someone is feeding him… Elders when can I make you dinner?

4. You’ve totally debated making a trip so that you just happen to be walking around in their area.

5. You get way too excited about stationery.

And pens. Also, stamps.

6. And you have way too much fun with care packages.

Okay so I’ll grab another tie for him and OH MY LANTA IS THAT SPARKLY DUCT TAPE?

7. You make lists of everything you’ll do together when they get home.

So far that’s 163 dates planned.

8. Trying to sound happy over e-mail so you don’t worry them after you’ve had a hard week.

"Hahaha yeah no everything is great."

9. You have some kind of countdown going.

Only 619 days to go!

10. The looks you get when you say that Monday is your favorite day of the week.

You think you're the only one smiling, and you're probably right.

11. You can't stand when people complain about not seeing their SO for a few hours.

12. It’s way harder than you thought it would be.

Don’t cry. You’ll see him soon. Don’t cry. Don’t… dang it.