"Friendship marks a life even more deeply than love. Love risks degenerating into obsession, friendship is never anything but sharing." - Elie Wiese

Growing up, friendship is one of the most important things you could possibly have when you make important transitions in life. From an early point in life we realize that in order to truly get through tough spots and changes, you'll need a friend. Someone who will not judge you, someone who will be there for you, someone you can trust with all of the secrets you have in life. But then a point in life hits where, you might have to say farewell to that friend that has always been there. I am currently experiencing that. One of my closest friends that I've had since middle school is leaving. I'm going through what I am going to call a temporary farewell.

Back before or after Christmas my friend decided to join the Air Force. I've never been able to say that one of my closest friends is in the service but now I can and I am extremely proud. It's such a wonderful feeling to know that someone so close to you has decided to fight for our country and our freedom. It's such a wonderful feeling but also a very sad, scary feeling. My friend is the only one out of my group that truly gets me and how I am. She is a huge fan girl just like me and knowing that the rest of my friends don't get that like she does is sad. She's one of a kind and definitely a friend for life. But sometimes we don't get to keep those friends around forever. We can't keep them in the same city, state, or country that we are in. This is where my temporary farewell comes in. Friday July 23, 2016 I attended a going away part for this friend of mine to whom I consider family. This party wasn't a sad party, it was a happy party. A party filled with many laughs and new memories.

Knowing that I get to experience such a brave time in someone's life makes the tears and farewell parties worth it. Although my group of friends may be temporarily separating due to the different path we all chose to take after high school, we manage to still think about all the good things that we've shared in our time together and the memories we already share and will make in the future. Change is one of the scariest most exciting things that could happen in the life especially since we are basically changing our way of life. My advice to everyone is this, If you have a friend in life that you know helped you become the person you are, cherish them every day. We all go through things in life that may or may not define our existence on this earth, and if you have to choose anything in life that will make the reputation and existence you have on earth a good one, choose friends. But choose them wisely, choose a friend that you know will understand you and always be there for you. Choose a friend that lifts you up in positivity and love. Choose good friends because one day, you may have to temporarily say farewell and I promise you will want that farewell to be a happy farewell because you know you'll see that good friend again. We only get so many choices in life so make the best ones when choosing friends. God bless you all, God bless America, and USAF.