Making the transition to college life from high school can be hard for any student who chooses to leave home. This adjustment is substantially worse for an individual who had the same solid friend group throughout high school. It seems almost impossible to imagine going separate ways, as each of you have different plans and paths for the future.

When I arrived at my new school and started speaking to new potential friends, I realized just how lucky I was to have a group of friends who I continued to stay friends with from the end of middle school all the way up until the present day. I came to the realization that the bond I had with my high school friends was rare and practically unheard of. No one understood when I explained how close I continue to be with my group of hometown friends. It was difficult for me to remember how to make friends, or even what that process was like because Ive had the same friends for so long.

You would expect friendships to weaken as time goes on, but I feel as though my high school squad’s bond is just getting stronger. Distance is a true test to how real a friendship is. It doesn't matter how much time passes before I see my friends because when I do see them, it is like nothing has changed. We, as individuals, change but the friendship remains the same.

What makes this bond so special is that we are all growing and changing. There would be a real problem if this didn't occur during the college years, but we are all able to accept each other and embrace what makes us all different. It just makes our crazy friendship stronger.

There is not a day that we don't fight and argue because we do… a lot. Whether it be about plans, politics, drama, or any other aspect of life, fights do occur, but we know that no squabble is worth ruining our friendship over. It’s so nice to know that you always have this group to fall back on. The most comforting feeling is knowing that you have people who really know you and understand everything that makes you who you are.

You practically grew up together. Your friends put up with you when you didn't even know who you were or what you were going to be. You survived the most awkward and difficult times together. Now, we look forward to summertime, weekend vacations, thanksgiving (or “friendsgiving”, as my friends call it), Christmas break, etc. We have the rest of our lives to celebrate making it this far. No matter where we all end up, I know that the times we get to spend together will be even more special. Here’s to the good times to come, with the people that I’m so lucky to call “my people”.