My last week of summer, before going to college, I remember freaking out because I was leaving my group of friends that I experienced every Friday night football game, every high school bonfire, and every weekend sleepover with. Four years later, I am blessed to say, that I still have the same group of friends from high school. I still talk to my high school friends on a weekly basis. Every time we are home, we always try to get together and do something. Not many people can say that their group of friends from high school are still as close as the day the day they walked across the stage for graduation. We make sure that our summers are spent together and that we make the best out of everything.

When I left for college, I was going to a school that I did not know a soul. I called my parents the second day and I was already in tears. My parents convinced me I was going to be okay. I eventually met Kayla, who has been my best friend since my freshman year of college. We made a lot of memories for the both of us. I ended up transferring schools my sophomore year and moved into a house with three girls that I had never talked to, besides a couple phone calls. We were blessed. We made more memories that first year than I could imagine. We did pretty much everything together. Now, here I am, four years later with three different roommates and a group of friends that has changed my life.

I’m telling you all this because the friends you keep from high school and the friends you make in college will be the people that change your life. These are the people that help you grow. They see the good, the bad, and the ugly. They take on life with you. Cherish every memory you make. Take way too many pictures. Your high school friends have been there since the beginning. They are there for the break ups, the late night phone calls, and so much more. Your college friends are there for you when you take a new adventure. They help you survive the stress of finals. When life gets busy, always make time for a reunion with your friends. If you’re blessed to have both of these, then hold on to those friendship forever.