I love my friends with all of my heart, and no matter how much we argue, I promise you, I have the best ones out there. However, many of them live far away and we're working our way through this long-distance best friend situation.

It's tricky, so I've called upon the finest Dunder Mifflin employee to help explain it for you:

1. Getting the News

Your world stops for a while as you realize that your best friend and you will no longer be walking (or a decent driving) distance from one another. You may have screamed a few times.

2. Moving Day

You promise yourself that you won't cry. You're stronger than that and besides, this isn't really happening, right? But as soon as they leave, you melt.

So much for that promise you made. You're a mess.

3. Realizing how lonely you are without them

What the heck are you supposed to do now that you're all alone? You think about going to see a movie or something, but you have no one to go with.

4. It's been several months since you've seen one another, and you're starting to lose it a little

You've begun to cope with the sudden absence in your life, but that doesn't make it any easier. You need them here.

5. They've started making new friends and you're still left to wallow in grief

While they're telling you about the new people they've met, you're still clutching their photo and crying yourself to sleep.

6. Candid conversations are your forte

Moving away from each other seems to have made you closer, and there's nothing you won't share.

7. It's been six months, so it's time to make arrangements to get together!

Just the thought of being reunited is enough to make you giddy with excitement.

8. When you're finally reunited!

"Bear hug" is too small a phrase to describe the hug that the two of you exchange. This is undoubtedly the greatest day of your life.

8. Leaving each other is the most emotional moment you've ever experienced

You've had an awesome time together doing awesome things and being awesome people, but now you have to go your separate ways and you're a wreck.

9. You're ridiculously thankful for your best friend

It takes a special kind of friend to stick around through the distance, and you are immeasurably grateful that they decided to stay by your side.

Growing up as the daughter of a pastor and spending much of my childhood in seminary neighborhoods, I experienced several moves and the trauma of a best friend leaving. Often, I was the friend who left. Either way, moves are hard when they involve leaving someone you care about. Not all long-distance friendships last, but I am extremely thankful for the ones that did.