A sudden buzz and a quick flash of light pierced the air, my phone was trying to get my attention. It was my one of my best friends Annie, the text read “Today is the day.” Nerve endings seemed to go crazy, and my heart seemed to be a little tachycardic, and my mind went blank for a second. I toke what seemed to be the longest breath I had ever taken, and thought to myself is today really that day, it can’t be this soon?

                 Ever since the end of senior year all Annie could talk about when someone even opened their mouth to say the word future was how she was going into the military, the navy especially. Everyone would always have a reaction that was surprised or confused, because I guess if you really didn’t know Annie she came of as an easy going, care free, live in the moment kind of girl. Not exactly the perfect picture of someone who would go into the military, but little did they know that beyond the simple surface of her laid this determined, strong willed, and powerful person. There wasn’t a moment that her true close friends ever doubted that she would go through with her decision.

                But somehow today, September 9^th 2014, I one of the closet people to her was happily shocked and selfishly sad that she was about to get on a plan to Chicago and start this journey she had so badly been looking forward to. I was texting her all day, making her telling everything that she was feeling, And snapchating her expecting to capture the very imagery that was unfolding in front of her. All this is happening and I can’t help but to have this fighting going inside my head, should I be happy or sad at this moment? I get a text from her mom telling me how she’s trying to be strong and not cry in front of Annie as she sits in the crowd watching all the other people as well as Annie swear in for the final time. I could only imagine how a mother would feel in this situation, I mean I only the best friend.

My phone seemed to have these wet spots on the screen, and I was just sitting there in my biology lab class staring at it, the text read “Just landed. I don’t know how it’s going to be when I get off, but I love you! See you soon.” I’ve never had to say a real goodbye, one that really carried weight, not just the one you say at the end of a phone call or to someone you don’t really know but are being polite with the gesture. This was something that I didn’t want to see coming, but it did, and I’m here and she’s there.  My mind unfroze and my heart slowed and the tears seemed to stop pouring, and the realization came to me that all I can do is be proud of her, pray for her, and count down the days till I see her again. This goodbye is merely a see you later.