Sar,

I’ve known you practically my whole life, and I can’t imagine my life without you. Through the years, we have grown to become those best friends who can’t go a day without speaking. So when we decided to go on to different colleges, there wasn’t a doubt in my mind we wouldn’t remain the same as we’ve always been.

Since we’re camp friends, we’ve done this “long distance” for years now, but you’ve always been just a 30 minute train ride away. Now, we go to school exactly 608 miles from each other, 9 hours and 30 minutes by driving, and 3 hours and 5 minutes by flight. So, bless up for technology because without it we’d be spamming the American Postal Service non stop.

I always look forward to when our breaks match up and I can come into your bustling New York City to visit you. We get to sit and sip expensive lattes in some trendy Soho coffee shop as if no time has even passed. Or if you ride the LIRR the opposite way, to my more quiet Long Island suburbs, where we can eat my favorite Best Bagels.

In all honesty, I love our unbreakable “long distance friendship.” You’re practically here 24/7, without actually being here. Whenever I feel sad about failing a test, happy about a new boy, or just want to reminisce on memories from our summer second home, I can just pick up the phone. You’re always there, and it goes both ways. Our FaceTimes have a solid range of anywhere from 2 hours to 5 minutes, with no in between. The conversations range from long rants about dining hall food, to quick updates about a funny moment between classes.

I could be having the worst day or the best day, and just seeing your name pop up on my phone makes me feel instantly happier. The best part of it all though, is getting to see you thrive and live your own life without me. I get to hear all the good and the bad, cheer you on through every triumph, and help you pick up the pieces when things don’t go right.

The other best part of being apart is getting to see just how much you have grown and changed over this first year of college. It has truly shaped you into a more independent person and has shown me that you are stronger than I ever thought you were. We go to such different schools and I love seeing how your experience is panning out and coming together. My midwestern big 10 university is so different from your smaller southern college.

We’re about three and a half months away till we get to go back to our favorite place on earth, camp, and I couldn’t be more ready. This year has been so amazingly hard, yet incredibly fun for both of us. We’ve laughed, cried, and FaceTimed for more hours than necessary. There’s no one else I’d rather share it all with.

Together or apart, you’re my person for life. I miss you and cannot wait to spend the summer with you at our home away from home.

XOXO, Your Forever Best Friend