How to get over rejection?

Hey ladies,

This past year I became really good friends with a guy I met online who we’ll call Chris. He’s really great and just an amazing human being on so many levels. We live in different countries, but this summer when I visited him for the first time I told him that I liked him and he very politely said he didn’t feel the same way but was super chill about the whole thing and we were both able to quickly go back to our comfortable friendship.

I guess this is the first time I’ve been rejected, and I don’t think I’ve ever liked someone as much as I like him. I’m only 18 but I would consider calling him the first guy I actually fell in love with. He’s the only guy I’ve liked enough that just thinking about him makes me emotional and teary-eyed. I feel like I’ve accepted his rejection, but thinking about him still frequently brings tears to my eyes. I don’t know if it’s from being far away from him now after coming back to my country, knowing how positively influential he’s been on my life, just knowing that we’ll never be together, or a combination of it all. Do you ladies have any tips for getting over someone you really like while still remaining friends? Thanks in advance!