We all have at least one best friend, the one friend that has been there for us when we got our hearts broken, lost a loved one, or called to vent just because we were having a bad day at work or school. Best friends’ often seem to read each other’s minds very well.
Starting in first grade, and sometimes even younger, we make friends, but time passes by, friends move away, and you might lose some friends but you also make new ones. A true friend always stays at your side during the ups and downs that life throws at you. They stay at your side even if they move away or if you move away. I remember thinking during my senior year, “what will happen to all my best friends when I am in college?” “Will we still be best friends, will we talk every day, or will we lose touch and only talk on Facebook and over breaks?” I was really worried about losing all my best friends.
I was also really worried about meeting new friends and trying to replace old ones. My best friends and I have shared many memories over the years. Sure some memories are just stupid and silly, but some are more serious and heartbreaking. The memories that stick out the most are memories from prom and graduation, times that are meant to be celebrated with best friends. It wasn’t until a few weeks ago that I finally saw who my best friends were, and saw who fit the true meaning of a best friend. The Girl Scout song goes “Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver, the other is gold.” This is so true, and I never thought I would lean back on this old song I once sang as a Girl Scout.
Just like people, friendships change all the time. You can love your best friend one day, and hate them the next. You may only tell your best friend some stuff and want to tell them more, but they might not want to hear it, or don’t know how to react or what to say. Over time, friendships do change, and it can be hard to adjust to that change. Like I said, sometimes friends move away, or lose touch with each other, but true best friends stick around for one another. When life seems to challenge you the most, that is when you realize who is and who will be your true best friends.
When I asked my friends what makes me a good friend, they all said the same thing – understanding, fun to be around, caring, and that I am always there when they need someone to talk to. I know my family and co-workers keep telling me they hardly talk to their friends from high school, middle school and elementary school. They say that their real friends are those they made in college, and I feel this is finally becoming the truth for me as well. It’s a little sad knowing that some friendships are coming to an end, but there will always be the memories that will last a lifetime in our minds.
I was thinking a few weeks ago about the time I got hurt and my best friend took me to the ER. She stayed with me the whole day, and I kept thanking her for sitting with me. The next day I ended up taking her to the ER because she broke her ankle, and realized right then and there that, if I weren’t her best friend, I wouldn’t be sitting in the ER at midnight studying for an exam and talking to her. We shared many laughs that weekend in the ER.
I feel like right now life is challenging the friendships that I have, and I am not willing to let all old friends out of my life. Remember that we all have one best friend, whether we don’t talk to them every day or talk to them 10 times a day. No matter what, they will always be there for us. Tell them how much it means to be their best friend, and don’t worry so much about losing friendships after high school. It will happen over time and it will be hard, but it is part of life and you will get through it. Have a little fate that the friends you have now will still be there for you when you’re 60 years old.
