I just got to my 4 months mark of being apart from my best friend. I have accepted a mission call to the Germany Berlin mission. Beginning January 20th, I will be right next to my sweet boy as he finishes out his mission. He has extended his mission so we will be home approximately at the same time. And oh how excited I am for that. Everyone tells me those 18 months are going to fly by and I will be happier than I have ever been in my entire life as I dedicate my life to the Lord for those 18 months. I am excited to feel that love constantly and enjoy the time I have serving those in Germany. Though at times I will struggle, with the language, homesickness, companions, struggle with the gospel, whatever it may be, I know that I will love the people by the end and I am not going to want to come home.
I am most excited to go through this together with Riley. At times it can be really hard to empathize and comfort him when in reality I have no idea how he feels or what he is going through. It will be nice to comfort him and discuss things with him because I know that it can be really difficult to confide in someone that has no idea what you’re going through. With time, having him gone is slowly becoming more of a reality. I don’t expect a text message to come, or for him to show up randomly, or to call me after a bad day. It gets easier one day at at time. Receiving his emails on Monday are the highlight of my week and something I constantly look forward to. This journey has been far harder than I ever thought it would be and at times extremely lonely. For the nearly two years we have done nearly everything together. I see people getting engaged, married, growing up, dating around, and girls who have their missionary coming home and I still have 21 months before that point.
Often people tell me, “you know its not going to work out. So much can change and happen in two year.” Its happened more times than I can count. “It’s rare for high school relationships to work out. You are just so young.” Easily once a week I get someone who comments things like this to me. I just wish they understood. It is completely discouraging. Elder Stonely is my very best friend. He makes me want to be better, to do better. He makes me laugh harder than anyone I have ever met.
These past 4 months I have put my trust in the lord to take care of him and to guide him to those who are searching for the truth. These feelings and prayers don’t just come from best friends or significant others of missionaries, but from those who also love and care for them. We don’t want him anywhere else than where he is. The Lord works in mysterious ways. There are times where I feel completely alone, discouraged, frustrated, angry, or completely inadequate and the Lord always ALWAYS put something in my path to let me know He is aware of me and aware of my struggles. Nothing beats the feeling of being important to the most powerful man that ever walked this earth.
Though this journey without my best friend has been everything but easy, I wouldn’t trade it for the world. He is right where he needs to be and he is absolutely loving it. The Lord has taken care of me. He is aware of my sacrifice. He is aware of whatever sacrifice we may be going through, even if it is just as small as being apart from your best friend. He is always aware. 
Halloween-Last year at his Aunt Stephanie's house. A memory we will never forget.
Florida Tallahassee Mission is the luckiest mission in the whole world.
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