Hey you,

I never really anticipated what long distance would be like until it happened to us. I always imagined that I would stay by your side and go to school with you. I had everything laid out and had every detail worked out about how we would spend our time together away at college, but it turns out that God had other plans.

I remember the day I found out that I couldn't go to school with you. I was completely devastated. I'm sure you remember the days of me crying endlessly on your shoulder and makeup running down my face at the thought of not being able to accept the fact that I was going to have to go 4 years without seeing you everyday. I remember sitting next to you in English class senior year and having a breakdown at the thought of having to leave that first week of August. But most of all, I remember the last night that I had with you before we said our goodbyes.

We spent the day lounging around the pool and enjoying the perfect 80 degree weather. We laughed, we smiled, but most of all, we cried. You held me in your arms with your warm, gentle embrace and whispered to me, "everything is going to be alright," and "we are going to get through this." As I was laid there in your tear-soaked shirt, I thought, "how can you promise something so big with a future so unknown?" Little did I know at the time, you were right.

Long distance has taught me how to be independent but not alone. It has taught me how to trust without any borders. It has taught me what it means to love unconditionally. It has taught me the importance of FaceTime and taking advantage of those short 10 minute calls in between classes. But most importantly, it has taught me what it means to rely wholeheartedly on Jesus and truly find my strength and peace in Him.

There were times that I felt so alone and heartbroken that I didn't want to do anything but lay in bed and soak in my sorrow and self-pity. But you always reminded me that God is the only one that can fill that missing piece of my heart and make me feel alive and whole again. There were days that reading my Bible was the last thing I wanted to do, especially after a long practice and 2 tests, but you reminded me that it was the only way to make it through this situation. Without God at the center of our relationship, there was no way that we were going to survive the distance.

Long distance has its highs and lows for sure. It's so fun to be able to come up and surprise you and see the look on your face when you open the door and I'm standing there. Waiting for your letters in the mail brought so much anticipation and always gave me something to look forward to. I treasure the moments when I get to see you, whether it's for two hours or two days.

Being away from you is one of the hardest things I've ever had to go through, but I know it only makes it sweeter when I get to see you. I'm sorry that we have to go through this, but I hope you know that I appreciate your loyalty and sacrifice just to stay with me.

Thank you for FaceTiming me at ungodly hours of the night just to talk to me. Thank you for praying for me before I take a big test that I've been stressing about. Thank you for putting up with my mood swings and emotional rollercoasters. Thank you for always making sure I am pursuing Christ before anything else. Thank you for being my best friend and staying faithful through it all.

I can't wait to see you again.

Love you.