What is it about those childhood friendships that make the best memories? As the upcoming fall semester begins to draw near, I sit considering what I need to bring to school with me, and I began thinking about the thing I can't bring with me, my best friend.
Growing up, I have always heard stories about my parents' best friends. Some of whom I have met and gotten to know, and others I only get hear about and wish I had the opportunity to meet them. Young children call practically everyone their best friend. Something I never really did, because I was raised knowing you will find yours when you need one the most.
It wasn't until sixth grade I met mine. She was in my homeroom, and we were forced to eat lunch with our homerooms. So, at lunch, I found myself sitting next to my neighbor's cousin. Before I knew it, she became my partner in crime in sixth grade. For some odd reason, we always got stuck sitting next to each other in math class. I always got stuck sitting in front of her, constantly having my chair kicked.
As we got closer, she'd come over to my house and do homework and watch movies. Our parents became good friends, and before we knew it, we were inseparable. The entire summer following sixth grade we hung out, every day we saw each other. There was even a week where she never left my house, it was the best summer ever. How we wished it would never end.Though it did come to an end.
Sadly enough, in seventh grade we didn't have classes together and gradually, we grew apart, finding other friends. It wasn't until the August before our sophomore year of high school that we really spoke again. We were sitting on the bus going to a swim meet when we talked about a summer project we had for the same class. Funny enough we both loved photography and loved complaining about the teacher. Who would have guessed that this would be the jumpstart to rekindling our friendship?
Fast forward to the end of Junior year, and it was kind of like we just picked up where we had left off all those summers ago. We had more inside jokes that made no sense, we worked right next door to each other, we went out and had insane adventures, it was so fun. Our families somehow managed to get even closer. But we weren't really prepared for what was to come senior year. Nothing could prepare us.
Senior year was really something, that's all I can say about it. It was just an insane year, and I am glad I had her to share some amazing memories. This was the moment when I knew I had that friend I would talk about years from now. Having that one friend that doesn't make you feel all that different in the world, even though you are both polar opposites, is priceless.
Now that senior year has passed, and our extended senior trip to Disney World is only a memory, and all we have left from our senior art show is our dorky self-portraits, I am so happy for each moment. And although we are going to separate schools in different states and not on different sides of the campus (inside joke) I know the moment we see each other again, we're just going to pick up where we left off. Because we have a lot more memories to make.
