Hey, I want you to know I have experienced something similar. My fiance killed someone in 2017, while experiencing a psychotic break caused by a mixture of mental illness and magic mushrooms. He's in prison now and while it's not a life sentence, it's more than 10 years.

I made the decision that I would stay by him, and stay in a relationship with him, because I know he's a good person, and I know he didn't mean to do what he did. We talk on the phone for an hour every day, sometimes more, we write letters constantly, do video chats. I send him books and articles and artworks.

Our relationship is the most rewarding and beautiful thing in my life. He's my best friend. And I am my best self, the person I wanted to always be, in a large part because of my choice to keep him in my life. Our relationship also saved his life.

Reach out to Sarah. Stay in touch. It doesn't have to be a sacrifice for you, it can be rewarding and enrich your life. Just like long distance friends can in other contexts.

It's a really really rough experience, to have a loved one commit a crime due to mental health reasons, and many people may judge you for it or not understand. But it's worth it, if you know this person is a good person and isn't taking advantage of you.

Also, while she will struggle for several years after her sentence, most long term prison inmates do end up finding acceptance in their life and meaning, even happiness and peace. I think Sarah can too.