I’ve actually already said a lot of this on the phone, and also over Skype, but I feel the need to reiterate.

The person you’re going to be spending the next eight months living with is, to me, the most precious thing on earth. She’s seen me at my worst and at my best, brought rational to my crazy ideas, and listened to me rant about an endless array of meaningless things. We’ve had musical sing-alongs and hours of silent company. I’m not just going to ‘hand her over’ without saying a few things first. You may even go so far as to call this a manual.

Get used to late night phone conversations and Skype calls, we’ve been each other’s rock through thick and thin, and 1,048 miles (and one time zone) won’t change that. The changes we’re going through, moving to a new place and being surrounded by new people will lead to a lot of fodder for late night conversations. Be ready.

However, sometimes the late night conversations can be rather one-sided, and full of trying to get her attention (she doesn’t always charge her phone -.-). This is where you come in, I might call you from time to time, just to make sure everything’s going okay.

She’s not a child, and doesn’t need a babysitter, but the occasional glance to make sure she’s staying healthy, eating and sleeping a normal amount will be greatly appreciated. She’s important to me, as is her wellbeing. Thanks in advance for your help.

Don’t be surprised if she needs to take a break from the situation for a bit, she’ll take a walk around, read something calming, maybe even talk to me, but she’ll come back to the room and talk to you about it when she’s ready.

Trust that she knows her own limits, but don’t be afraid to ask her what those are so that you can help her enforce them. She’ll do the same for you.

Behind that bubbly, effervescent exterior, there’s a lot of history. Don’t be surprised if she pulls out something emotional amongst her ramblings. It just means she trusts you with that information.

Sometimes she does some weird things, I mean, we all do them. But she can take it out of the ballpark. Don’t judge it, enjoy it. I’m sure you’re also a bit weird, and just like how our weirdness is compatible, yours most likely is too.

She has her obsessions (so do I), humor them. Explore them. Listen to her talk about them. We all just want a person to listen to us, she’s no different. She’ll listen to you talk in return.

This precious girl that you are rooming with will appreciate you to the moon and back again, don’t let that down. You’re going to do amazing things together, whether it’s just sitting and studying, watching Netflix, or going out to events, and I for one, can’t wait to hear all about it.

Once it’s all said and done, not only are you gaining a wonderful friend this year, you’re joining our little family of dependency and love, and I couldn’t be happier to welcome you in.