To my friends across the country:

As I reflect on the holidays and the fact my college career is coming to a close after next semester, I can't help but think of how you're all doing - how your undergrad experience has been, your hectic grad school life, your work life, etc. - and how I hope we can find the time to catch up again soon. I constantly think about how special it is to me that we've been able to stay friends for so long, even if we can't always find the time to keep in touch. The truth is, despite how busy I've been pursuing my passions in the fields of writing and editing, I still think about how you're all doing (sometimes daily).

Kentucky and Georgia are both far from my home state, and you're even farther away from me when I'm at UND - but being friends with you all makes up for every mile in between us. I hate cliches and platitudes, but in some ways absence really does make the heart grow fonder. Social media, texting, phone calls, and Skyping all help alleviate the large gaps that seem like eons in between seeing all of you, but I hope to be able to see you more after graduation (and we really need to add to our pictures together). Just know that I hope you're all doing well and I hope to catch up with each and every one of you again soon.

Your friend from afar,

Luke