I didn't have a lot of friends in high school, but the ones I did have were close friends. We told each other everything about our lives and rarely made a decision without consulting each other. Even though we all live in different towns now, working jobs and taking classes, they are still some of the best friends I will ever have. This is for my high school friends.

I'm sorry that I hardly ever text first. I hope you know, though, that when I do see your name pop up on my phone, I smile. And then I get on to myself for never being the one to start a conversation. I love how your texts are never just a “hey” or “hello,” even if it has been months since we talked. It's usually some ridiculous life problem you're having, sometimes serious, sometimes funny. And even though we tend to go months without talking (for which I take full blame), we always come back to each other to eat Chinese food or make brownies.

I love that we have stayed so close. I love that we can still hang out and talk and laugh for hours like we're still 16 years old. We have all changed from the people we were in high school, but we can still have a sleepover or a day out shopping without getting bored or tired of each other. And I will always know that you are my real friends because all we ever get each other for birthdays is food, and that is more than okay with us.

No matter how many times we text about hanging out before it actually happens, it always happens eventually. There are usually more “we need to hang out soon!” texts sent than there are “I'm free Friday, let's get lunch,” ones. But when we do finally make plans, we walk into each other's houses without knocking like we're coming home rather than visiting. Seeing you will always feel like coming home.

Making new friends in college have been so much fun, but it comforts me that you already know all of my embarrassing stories because you were there when they happened. I don't have to catch you up on my past when an ex-boyfriend texts me or I run into someone from high school that never liked us. You were there through it all, and I am so glad you still are.

We will be there for each other's weddings, through pregnancies and new jobs, because we were there for high school heartbreaks and first kisses. I have no doubt that even after college when we start careers and families, we will still call and text. We will still talk about the things we always talk about, like that purple notebook hidden in my closet or the octopus-shaped pinata we made for Spanish class. Maybe we will talk once a month, maybe once a year, but no matter how long it has been, we will still talk like we have been friends the whole time. Because we have.