In January, my sister/best friend and I said our goodbyes as she packed her bags for Copenhagen, Denmark. Now, we have completed about three out of the five months that we will be apart for. I would say that it gets easier each day but, in reality, I miss her the same, if not more, each day. So if you're like me, then you can probably relate to how I feel about this all and know the struggles of having your best friend go abroad.
Even though everything is so new and different, the friendship still remains the same.
Yes, we go to two different universities. And yes, we have been apart for long periods of time before. But no, it does not make saying goodbye or the distance any easier. Since she is two years older than me, we have dealt with this long-distance relationship thing for a while because she went off to college while I was still a junior in high school. And, even in college, we attend universities in different states that do not always have the same breaks. Yet, we still managed to never go more than two months without seeing each other. That's probably because our separation anxiety ultimately gave us no other choice but to constantly visit each other.
This whole different countries thing is definitely a game changer though. I am no longer able to just get on a short flight and see her. And that, to me, is the worst part about this all. For the past 18 years, we have not been apart for an extended period of time and now all of a sudden we are in different countries for 5 months. Instead of our jam sessions in the car or our late night talks in bed, I now have to settle for FaceTimes and What's App messages. That is if and when our schedules match up with the major time difference. So, as I start my day off she has already been to all of her classes and is thinking about dinner. And I think that is the hardest part of having my best friend abroad. As soon as something important happens, I immediately go to call her and then realize it is the middle of the night for her. Like it is actually so rude that I can't just call her whenever it is convenient for me. Communicating with each other now takes a little extra thought because I always have to consider the time change and try to figure out if she is available or even awake. Yet, I always know that when I need her, no matter the time, she will always be there for me. Even if I am only calling because I'm bored and want to her annoy her.
As hard as this whole thing may be for me, I truly am so proud of my big sister for embracing this new change in her life. She is actually cooking her own food and learning how to live on her own. She's trying new things and even new foods, which is a pretty big deal for her since she is a picky eater. But don't be fooled, her favorite food is still chicken nuggets and she still manages to "cook" them for herself. She is living her best life and "adulting". I know, it's pretty scary.
And of course, I am jealous that she is traveling around the world without me and making these lifetime memories. I may or may not anxiously wait for her Facebook and Instagram posts. I can't help but be so excited and want to know everything about this new life and all that she is experiencing. But then again, I do get to go visit her in Copenhagen in two months so I guess that makes up for it. These two months may feel like a lifetime but I know it will be worth it when I get to see her for the first time in 5 months and jump on her and annoy her in every way possible. I mean it is my job as her younger sister to constantly annoy her and do everything that she asks me not to do, like hug her. So although I do miss having her here in the States, I guess it's okay that she is out there exploring Europe and taking advantage of this opportunity, even if she did leave me behind in America to drown in homework and exams.
