How does it feel to be away from the people you love? It sucks. It really does. I wouldn't wish this feeling upon my worst enemy, not that I have one anyway. I'm sure almost everyone has had to experience it, whether it be for one week, one month or even one year. Oh goodness, I hope you haven't had to go through that for an entire year.

When someone becomes such a huge part of your life, they don't just become a person you're close to. They become a routine. A rock. A constant. Someone you can always depend on who's only a call away when you need them most. Having that kind of consistency in your life is extremely comforting. It's like no matter what changes, that person won't. Even when everything seems unstable or rocky, I know I'll always have a shoulder to lean on. A person to lift me up when I'm feeling down. Someone who's seen me both at my worst and at my best and loves and is supportive of me nonetheless. It's truly the best feeling knowing that I'm worth so much to somebody, despite my quirks and flaws.

But when that person is taken away from you, whether it be caused by death, a move or simply just drifting apart, life gets shaken up a bit. There's a void left behind. An empty space in your everyday life. Somehow, for some reason you can't seem to grasp, one of the only consistencies in your life has vanished. You spend your days feeling bewildered and confused because you can't seem to understand where they went. Well, you actually do know where they went, but nothing is making sense because they're not here, where you think they should be — with you.

So now you must accept this life for what it is and adjust to it. Finding activities to aimlessly waste your time, to take up the days until you can finally see them again — if you're lucky enough to be able to do that. But it still doesn't feel right, because everything you are doing now should be done with the person you love by your side. Before, you spent every waking moment together, and now you have to face every day alone. One of the guiding, comforting lights in your life has flickered and went out, and now it seems like you're blindly walking in darkness.

I know how you feel.

It's hard only having memories to hold on to. Because eventually, after endless scrolling through the same pictures and videos, it gets old. You're just trying to relive the same moments over and over, when they're gone. You can't get those times back. They can't be remade, only remembered.

But hold onto this thought — God would not give you this challenge without knowing that you can overcome it. You see, everything He does and plans for you is all because He cares about you. He knows exactly what's in store for you, and is so excited for you to continue your life journey. Even when you don't physically have the person you love by your side, God is spiritually always there with you. In fact, He loves and cares for you more than anyone else in the world could. Yeah, that thought is pretty crazy. But it's true.

So hold fast and steady to this wonderful, beautiful life you were given. Whether or not you get to be with your loved one again, feel grateful that you had such a huge blessing as a best friend, family member or significant other. When your heart feels empty without them, fill it up with God's grace. His endless love will fulfill any thirst or desire you have.

And remember: Distance means so little when someone means so much.