My best friend and I have been friends since freshman year of college. We began at one school, living on the same floor, and ended up transferring to the same school the following year, where we've been together ever since.

Well, until now.

This semester, she has left to study abroad, approximately 5,385 miles away from me, in Greece. Though I am so thrilled and enthusiastic that she is writing a new and exciting chapter of her life, I can’t help but miss her.

I mean, together since freshman year. That’s two and a half years, five semesters, countless days, hours, minutes spent laughing, making memories and developing as people together. Needless to say, it’s a little weird to do a semester without her but, I’m learning to deal with it.

I must say that FaceTime has proven to be a very useful technology in our attempt at a long-distance friendship. Sometimes I just need to see her face when I talk to her, I mean one of the best parts of gossiping with your best friend is seeing their reaction when you full-on spill that tea. It’s nice that I can do that with modern technology, shout out to Apple.

Another thing I’ve been trying to do is to stay busy. When I’m sitting at home, by myself, with nothing to do I miss her more and the little void in my daily life where she’s missing seems to be a little bit bigger. So, I try my best to occupy my mind with school, my other (wonderful) friends and I’m even trying some new extra-curricular activities.

I have also found that, when I’m missing her a little extra, it helps to remind myself of the time that has already passed and the time that remains until she comes back. I may or may not have a countdown on my phone….I also try to remind myself that she is having the time of her life and so many new experiences that will give her the opportunity to better herself. Reminding myself of all the benefits of her semester abroad makes me happy and excited for her so that I don’t feel so sad (and maybe a bit jealous).

Though I miss that girl something awful and I’ll admit, at times, I feel a little envious that I am not there having these new adventures with her, I am so unbelievably supportive. I am excited to hear all of the things she did, saw and learned. I am beyond proud of her for going to a completely unfamiliar country to have this new experience and for making the most of an opportunity to see the world and venture out of the routine. I just want her to know I love her, miss her and will be right here, patiently, awaiting her return.