Karina,

Getting to know you was one of the most amazing things that's happened to me. I thank God every single day that he gave me the pleasure of knowing you. I didn't get nearly enough time with you, though. I always knew you couldn't stay forever, but it never felt real that you'd have to leave. Some days it doesn't even feel real that you left, I wake up some days and think that I should give you a call to see if you want to go grab Starbucks with me, but it just isn't possible.

I'm sorry I don't get to call you nearly enough, I need to work harder on that. It's so weird to think of you with your own job, your own friends, and your own family in Ukraine, when I think of your life being here. It's so unfair that you didn't get to come home this year.

We all miss you so much. Not one of us have gone a single day without thinking about you since the day you waked through airport security. You took a part of all of us with you, and it won't come back until we get to hug you again. We can't wait to hug you again.

Thank you for everything you gave me in the short amount of time I've gotten to know you. Thank you for your bright, contagious personality. Thank you for giving me the color yellow, because every time I see it, I see you. Thank you for all the days you literally made me get out of bed. Thank you for all of the adventures. Thank you for pulling me out of my shell. Thank you for becoming one of my very best friends.

I love you so much, and I'll continue to count down the days until I get to see you again, even thought I don't know when that day will be. Just know that you hold one of the most special places in my heart, and I can't wait to finally give you a hug again.