It is actually happening. I wish we could put it off a little bit longer, maybe one more year, but you’re really graduating. How did it all go by so fast? We have been together close to two years. We met when I was a freshman and you a sophomore. After nine months, one Italian class, and a week-long summer visit- we began officially dating; June 20, 2014. We started our relationship on a long-distance basis, which sucked. The first two months we were together, we were actually 600+ miles apart. We had a whole summer’s worth of phone calls, texts, and FaceTimes before we were finally reunited back at school. It feels like an eternity since that summer. We have grown in so many ways since then. We are far from perfect, but in the end of the day, we love each other more than words can describe.

College would not have been the same experience if you were not by my side through it. You and the relationship we’ve built together have helped shape me into the woman I am today. The “college” era for us is coming close to an end and the thought of that makes it kind of hard to breathe. We have been inseparable for two years now and within just a few months it is all going to change. You’ll be graduating and heading home; real home, not the one we have created for ourselves in our tiny college houses. This home is located almost 400 miles away and roughly about a 6-hour car ride, a drastic change from the 5-minute drive down the road we conveniently have right now.

To think that we will be going back to having a long distance relationship is a little bit scary, I won’t lie. Next year is going to be tough not having my best friend here with me every day, but I regardless of the fear, I could not be more proud of you for making this huge accomplishment in life. You’ll be walking across stage to receive your diploma and you’ll be entering the “real world”- such an interesting term. Everything really is about to become real for you, and for us. This is an extremely exciting time and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for you.

But speaking of the future- I’ve been trying to refrain from overthinking what the future will be like. The unknown is confusing and frightening for someone as impatient and anxious as I am. In a matter of months, we will go from spending most of our days together, to most of our days apart. I don't know what's harder: not knowing where I will be in a few years, or knowing that I may not have my best friend by my side through all the stress and chaos the real world brings. I dream about our first place we get together, when I graduate and join you in adulthood, as a way to stop the negative thoughts about how you’ll be so far, so soon. I remind myself that I can’t be selfish though, I know you have big things ahead of you. You are so intelligent and hard working. The dedication I see in you and the passion in your eyes is captivating. We may be putting to rest one era but we’re starting a new one. A better one.

People can say what they want, and I know graduation is inevitable, but I will miss you more than you could imagine and I could not be any happier having you in my life. Meeting you almost 4 years ago changed my life forever and that is something I will continue to cherish. You are my support system, my motivation, my best friend, and my future. You treat me with the utmost respect and makes me laugh like no other. I want to thank you for an amazing two years in college with you. I laugh at all the funny times we’ve shared and I smile at the rough ones that we made it through. I don’t want to be sad that you’re leaving, but be grateful for the time that we had together and the memories we will make in the years to come. The future is wide open and who knows where we will land but as long as I have you by my side, I know I will be happy.

An early congratulations on your degree and an even bigger thank you for loving me endlessly.

Love Always,

Your Girlfriend

P.S. I look forward to you landing an awesome job in the finance world because I know it is your dream... but more importantly – because seeing you in a suit every day is definitely a plus in my book. 😝