Let me tell you a little bit about my best friend.

Her name is Jess and she’s the most real girl I’ve ever met in my life. We met at a party and connected instantly. Even though we didn’t know each other for a long time, we immediately became great friends. She’s got this amazing sense of self-deprecating humor and a kind, generous heart. She is an actual hippie. She really was born in the wrong generation. She’s socially conscious in the most real way-- she doesn’t hold certain beliefs because they’re politically correct or she’s pretentious, she just knows that they’re the right things to believe. Think Donna’s personality from “That 70’s Show,” but she looks and dresses like Jackie.

She’s an incredibly talented painter and has an eye for color. She’s beautiful and strong-- so much stronger than she’s ever given herself credit for. Sometimes she has to be reminded that having support isn’t the same thing as using people as a crutch. She won’t ever lie to me, even if the truth hurts, and she supports me when I need her. She’s never once judged me for anything I’ve done or said and I don’t know if I’d be here without her.

Now let me tell you the thing I hate the most about her: she moved to Arizona in April, is now over 3,000 miles away from me, and I miss her.

I don’t hate her for moving because that would be selfish and stupid. I’m actually very glad she moved-- she was unhappy here and she loves being in the desert. She’s independent and a real adult now. She pays bills and has an apartment and plants and enjoys the heat. I do, however, hate that she’s so far away from me. I hate that she’s in a different time zone. I hate that we have to do things separately. I hate that she isn’t 20 minutes away anymore.

I understand, though. Everyone has to do what’s right for themselves and not base their decisions on the people around them, no matter how dear they may be. I was sad, but I was also excited for her to start her life and live her dream. I knew that meant moving away and as much as I don’t like not having her around, I’d rather her be happy and far away than miserable and here.

It’s really hard not being able to go to her house and hang out with her after a rough day, watching a scary movie or “Rick and Morty” together. I can tell Jess literally anything. She’s the kind of person who would help me hide a body if I asked. We tell each other everything over SnapChat and FaceTime now. We have a month-long Snap-Streak going.

We never had the kind of friendship that involved going out and doing things. Our friendship has always been simple: be there for one another. When one of us would have a crappy day or felt lonely, the other would almost be able to sense it. Jess is the kind of person who prefers to sit around a campfire or go for a long car ride and just talk. She’s never blown me off for her boyfriend, who is also one of my good friends.

But I also think that the reason we remained close after she moved is that our friendship never depended on activities or events. We genuinely like one another and are interested in the other. We like talking to each other and catching up. I like hearing about her life and vice versa. I think that’s rarer nowadays.

My best friend is 3,000 miles away, but that doesn’t negate our friendship. We’ve communicated every day since she left and we’re still incredibly important to each other. She’s always going to be my best friend. I love ya, Jess. Thanks for being there even when you’re not here.