I always said I would never do a long distance relationship. When I'm with someone I want to be actually with them. But that went out the window when I started dating you. Your family literally lives on the other side of the country, I'm an east coast girl and you're from Oregon. Now it is our first summer apart. And now we aren't just a country apart, we are a world apart. For this entire month I am travelling Europe and you are in Oregon. 6,000 miles and 9 hours separate us.

First let me just say how you are literally the best. I had been planning on doing this trip for years and 6 months ago it became a reality as my parents got me plane tickets to Europe as my graduation gift (shouts out to Mom and Dad). Right off the bat you were supportive. You encouraged me and helped me plan. You did tell me how you were worried about me being in Europe and how you would miss me but you always followed it up with how you wanted me to have the adventure.

Now I'm here in Europe travelling all over. Any time anything goes wrong, which has happened very often, you are right there talking me down, helping me get calm and figure out what to do. You encouraged me to be brave and enjoy my trip. You are my rock.

The time difference was difficult but we made it work. When I woke up you would be getting ready for bed and when you woke up it was dinner time for me. So good morning to me was often followed by goodnight to you. So we both always woke up to plenty of messages and snaps from the other, giving updates of the day and sweet messages about how much we missed each other. You were a champ through this time difference. You would always send me the best messages to wake up to and you always helped me pick the best insta worthy pictures when you would wake up.

This time hasn't been perfect though. We've had a few fights, but we always work it out. I have no idea how difficult this time has been for you: I'm off in Europe travelling, sometimes solo, and you are at home working for the summer. Thank you. Thank you for encouraging me, putting up with the distance and time difference, working through fights with me, and for loving me through it all. You have encouraged me to go off and enjoy this once in lifetime opportunity. You trusted me and my judgement and helped me learn that I can trust me too. Thank you so much for helping and encouraging me to go out, live my life, and explore the world and myself.

I love you most.