You have just been admitted to your dream school, perhaps it is in California or New York. Filled with jubilation, you excitedly give your significant other a call to share the news. Oddly enough, they too have news to share. The wide smile that stained your face collapses as you learn that your significant other has just been accepted to their dream school.
You find yourself both thrilled and frightened. While you are happy that your partner has been admitted to the college of their dreams, you are in fear that your shared love will disappear. Their dream school is thousands of miles away. You will no longer be able to get sushi between classes or stop for boba on the walk home. Tears stream down your burning cheeks as you begin to imagine a life without their sweaty palms and sweet little laugh.
While in your head you have convinced yourself that this chapter has come to a close, they kiss your crying eyes and remind you of how much they adore you. In time, you begin to accept that your sweet love is leaving. You spend each day reminding yourself that what they are doing is for the best. Still, you find it difficult to believe that this love can last.
Before you know it, summer is over. The bags are packed, and they're getting ready to catch a flight. You wonder where the time went and pray this won't be the last time you feel their warmth in your arms. Making promises to call everyday and FaceTime at least once a week, you never could have anticipated how painful this would be.
From move in day to your first day of class, the gloom still cradles you, a sadness you can't quite shake. You have never had trust issues, but somehow the miles between you two have caused a sense of insecurity.
You and your partner spend the first few weeks in college crying to one another over the phone, desperately talking about how badly you wish you could just go home. In time, however, you begin making friends, joining on-campus organizations, and learning about the most fascinating topics. You realize that you don't quite hate this school as much as you expected you would.
While you still miss each other more than anything, the conversations begin to change. The tears turn to laugher as you tell your partner about your professor who thinks it's fashionable to wear an old cowboy hat with a pair of 2005 dad Nikes. The pain subsides, and instead, the love between the two of you only grows stronger.
The distance has allowed the two of you to become your own people. Your partner, who was once a socially awkward little kid, has now made a group of amazing friends. They have learned to be heard, and their voice is even more beautiful than ever before.
As for you? You're excelling in your classes, and you're involved in a number of life-changing organizations. The distance is a test of your love and you're certain that you're going to pass with flying colors. Before you know it, summer will come, and their sweet laugh will once again warm your heart. You're right where you belong, and regardless of the distance, you know that they are yours.
