Lyla

It's Lyla's birthday. Hers is exactly four months ahead of mine; she gets to scout it out for me.

I miss her so very much. That missing has mellowed out a little bit, at least, from the desperation I felt when I first got here. There are several reasons for this, surely: I've gotten accustomed to it. I have friends here now. We Skype semi-regularly. I'll have the prospect of seeing her again soon. I still miss her, tangibly,  though.

I consider myself so lucky to have found this kind of friendship in my life. I know that she and I will love and support each other, forever. I am 100% confident in this fact. That's not something that a lot of people have, but I think we deserve each other.

Happy Birthday!