You've moved away to college, leaving (for the most part) your past relationships behind — family, friends, significant others. We all come into college with some version of long distance relationships, some of which stand the test of time and others that fizzle out. You find new friends, whom you live, work, and play with every day. They become like a second family, and you thank your lucky stars on the regular for putting these wonderful people in your life.
Then, one Wednesday night, as you're getting ready for your first post-spring break Trivia Night at the on-campus bar, your best friend here tells you she's taking time off from school, and doesn't know when she'll be coming back. Of course, this is all about your friend — her health, her well-being, her peace of mind, and success in the future. You love her and support her, and are so proud of her for doing what's best for herself. But, from a totally selfish perspective, it sucks. Your go-to person will no longer be where you can physically go to her at any given time of day or night. Your regular coffee date, your study break pal, your mealtime companion, your best home-away-from-home friend is moving back across the country. You thank those lucky stars for bringing her into your life. But, you're unsure what this big change will mean for your friendship. All you know right now is that you're sad to see her go, and hopeful that your bond will stay strong. To really encapsulate how all of this feels, here are the reactions to finding out your person is going away, as told by Schmidt from New Girl, in attempt to make this whole thing suck a little less.
When someone asks you what's going on after hearing that your person is taking some time off, and this is the only way you can respond:
When you're trying to grapple with the sudden onslaught of feels that hits you at random times and in inappropriate settings (class, the line at Coffeehouse, trivia, on the phone with your mom, etc.):
When you talk to your person a couple days later, and it turns out she has to leave even earlier than expected, so your plans for your last week together are ruined:
When you see your person start packing, and aren't quite sure what's real anymore:
When you get asked why you're staring so lovingly at your person, but you know it's because you're trying to take as many mental pictures as possible:
When it's almost time for the long distance best-friendship to begin, and you're fighting it hard:
When it finally sinks in that this is really happening:
You're proud of your person. You're happy she's doing what she needs to do to take care of herself. You can't wait to see all the wonderful places life takes her, and all the amazing things she's going to do. But, it hurts like hell that, at least for the foreseeable future, she won't be by your side to go those places and do those things.
To my person: Taylor, I'm so glad to have met you, and to call you my best friend. Taking time off of school will either be the best decision you could have made or the worst, but either way, you're doing your best to take care of yourself, and it's going to turn out great. You're a beautiful soul and have so much to offer the world. I'll miss you. I love you. I'm proud of you. And I will always be there for you, even if we're several thousand miles apart. May this be your best adventure yet.
