Childhood best friends are so important. They teach us some of the most important lessons including how to share, how to stay at some one else's house without getting homesick, and how to be completely carefree. Unfortunately, as we grow up, these friends become distant, get lost in time, and end up being replaced. We will always have a special place in our hearts for these friends, but it is unlikely that we will ever share that bond again.

Well, unless, you get engaged to cousins and come running back into each others' lives at full speed. Having my childhood best friend back is an exciting adventure but it is also an overall relief. We always used to tell people that we were sisters, and now within the next few years we will truly be related, by marriage of course.

Welcoming her back into my life with open arms, and her doing the same to me, has taught me quite a few things.

1. Don't be embarrassed of your past.

When making new friends, I'm always afraid to disclose my past because I always felt it was embarrassing. I have divorced parents and I've done things that I am definitely not proud of. Friendships, just like any relationship, should be built on trust and honest and thus these things would come out eventually.

Luckily enough for me, having my childhood best friend reappear as my adulthood best friend takes away all of this anxiety and embarrassment, because not only was she there for a lot of these moments, but she is well aware of how I was raised and how it affects who I am today. She makes sure that I know that everybody has a past and that mine does not define me.

2. True friends are forever.

For some reason, my biggest issue with making and keeping friends is always being replaced and/or being left out and forgotten. Though she and I have separated briefly, we have come back together in order to have each other's backs and form a long-lasting friendship. She has now taught me that true friends won't make you feel like you're not good enough or you're their second choice.

Also, as I begin to get ready to leave for college, she has assured me multiple times that our friendship will be able to endure the distance. Unfortunately, long-distance friendships are just as hard as long-distance relationships. We have already begun to make plans for when I'm home. She never fails to make me aware of how much I am loved and accepted.

3. Nothing will get in the way.

Now as adults, things are a little bit different and she has a child. A lot of times, girls lose friends when they have children because they can no longer do things that they could before. It was quite the contrary for us though, as I embraced her little one as my own and love him just as much as I love her.

All of our plans are things we can take the baby to. I am her built-in babysitter and I love every second of it. I am so thankful that she has allowed me to be apart of his life and given me the ability to watch him grow. Whether it is a child, distance, or anything else, nothing will separate us again. If anything, it will aid us in becoming closer.

4. Friends are only a call away.

She has to work last minute and she can't take the baby? She calls me and I am excited to get some extra time with him. I have a day off and want to make some last minute plans? She is immediately on her way to my house. No matter what, we call each other and we are there. She has taught me that friends make time for each other, regardless of how busy their schedules.

5. Family is the ultimate support system.

Whether we are family by blood, marriage, or just love and loyalty, we are still family and we will always have each other's backs. Things happen, and we get that, but neither of us will ever have to go through anything alone ever again. Having a girl best friend to go through life with is just as important as having a partner, and luckily we have both.

I cherished the moments of our childhood, and I held on to them even more when they became memories. Now, I have my childhood best friend back and I am never letting her go again. They say if you love something, let it go, and if it comes back, then it is meant to be. Obviously, we were meant to be life-long best friends and we will be from here on out.