Happy & Healthy

Help! First aid at the moment your best friend is going to emigrate

Long story short: my very best friend Roos is emigrating tomorrow and I can't handle it. We met ten years ago, are now as inseparable as Bonnie and Clyde, and now she's LEAVING. To seek adventure with her boy in Abidjan. Yes, I had to Google that three times too, but that's the largest city in Ivory Coast. From Paris, it's about a six-hour flight.

Now I really don't want to make this all about myself again, but recently my favorites Hajar and Malou (the best sister in the world) have also already left for the other side of the world. In short: the three women I have the most contact with have all sort of disappeared from my life in a few months. Whether it's temporary or not.

‘What if your BFF suddenly leaves?’

Roos is the last blow in my trinity. You should know that she's the type of friend who can suddenly show up with a gift in front of your nose (proof here!). It happened during our New Year's Eve. “Here,” she said, handing me a pair of black pumps with glitter flowers. “I think they're so beautiful. And I know your taste, so I bought two pairs right away. Aren't they super cool? And by the way, if you're still looking for a dress for tonight, I have one that goes well with the shoes.” Yes, that's my best friend. Not normal how sweet she is. Because your thong is my thong, right? (Inside joke that sounds worse than it is, dear people.) Yes Roos – I hear you laughing.

By the way, my friend is also the type who can call you in the middle of the night if she has a relationship crisis or was drunk and just wants to say she loves you. In short: bestie material. But what if BFF suddenly leaves? Chasing her dreams while leaving you in cold, miserable Holland? It's downright tough. I feel your pain. But, of course, you're going to make the best of it, because that's who you are. And this is how you do it:

Make the farewell fun

Farewell at Schiphol equals too many emotions and automatically results in a lot of crying. That intensely ugly cry, you know? You don't want that. Don't make it too heavy, see it for her as a super cool challenge and throw a big party with everyone in the last days.

Yes, goodbye – don't see it as a farewell

Because if she's really your bestie, you're going to visit her. And she you. HOLY COW I'M PROBABLY GOING TO IVORY COAST THIS YEAR. Who would have thought that, huh? Take it from the bright side, honey.

Give her something small that she can use

Yes Roos, what do you give a girl who has practically everything? Exactly: memories. So I rallied her male best friend Daan and together we made an uncensored photo book. Laughing, ugly double chins, pouty lips, wine nights; everything came by. She immediately has something to flip through on the plane.

Keep surprising each other

Skyping she probably does with so many others. You are her bestie. You know her inside out, know what she really finds funny. Think of situations she has memories of. Even if you send her a dildo in a Chanel box just for fun. Sounds like the worst Sinterklaas surprise ever, by the way. Anyway, crazy packages, DIY trinkets, letters, a homemade vlog, you name it. The most fun to give and also good for creativity. A win-win situation.

Dear Roos, I will miss you. But if I wish anyone a new life adventure, it's you. And, don't forget: we travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us. AND I'M COMING TO YOU HOOOOWWW.