We made it.

At the beginning of my senior year, I was flooded with fears. Mostly the fear of my best friend being away at college the whole year. I was scared that it wouldn't work. I was scared he would find someone he deserved. I was scared I would have an emotional break down and not be able to take it. I was scared we were going to grow apart and lost everything we had. Praise Jesus because I was SO WRONG. It was not easy though. For the first couple months, I found my self crying many nights. It was so hard. I wanted my best friend home every single day. Before he left, everyone was telling us that distance makes the heart grown fonder, and now I know that is completely true. While Nick was 800 miles away, I got to know new parts of him. I learned how to love him in new ways and he did the same with me. The letters he wrote me were so genuine and really did make me fall for him even more. We learned how to communicate even when we're not face to face. We learned the importance of friends, other friends. We learned how much of a gift it is to have new friendships outside of each other. Even when many miles stretched between us, he wanted to know every detail of my day. He laughed at every story and bad joke. He asked questions about specific things that happened each day. He still prayed with me and for me. He encouraged me with his wise thoughts and gentle words.  Together, we made it through one of the hardest years of my life. He comforted me, from miles away, when I was being beaten down by unbearable emotional pain. He loved me well even when he couldn't hug me or hold my hand. My heart grew even fonder of Nick this past year. I love him even more than I did at the beginning of this school year. I did not think that was even possible.   Last August, May seemed so far away and I never thought we were actually going to make it to summer. We did. Nick is home for the summer. For the next three months, we have plans of floating rivers, hiking, visiting Yellowstone, flying kites, and eating at new restaurants.  Only by the grace of God, did we make it through a hard year. Praise God, because...

WE MADE IT.