I have had friends who I thought I would know forever. People who I've talked about moving across the country with or growing old with. But the sad fact of the matter is that I don't even talk to some of those people now. Some of those friendships that I thought would last an eternity ended in disaster. However, I don't believe that short-term friendships or relationships are fruitless. I believe that everyone that comes into our lives is there for a reason, no matter how long we know them. Some friendships are meant to only last a little while. They work to shape us as individuals or help us grow. But unfortunately, there are certain relationships that last for a chapter of our lives and then come to an end.

However, there are also people who will come into our lives and with whom we will share a deep connection. These people are our soul mates. These are the people who you can go years without seeing and still pick up right where you left off. They are the people you can call no matter the time of day and know that they will have your back. Essentially, these are the people who you know will remain in your life forever.

The term "soul mate" is more often than not associated with a lover or a relationship of a romantic nature. But you don't merely share your soul with your spouse or your partner, do you? Author Cecelia Ahern wrote, "A soul mate is someone who understands you like no other, loves you like no other, will be there for you forever, no matter what." This does not describe things that can only be achieved through a romantic relationship, but through many different types of relationships. So while someone might say that they are searching for their soul mate, the truth is they probably already have a met a few.

I believe that I have many soul mates: my sister, my best friends, my mentors. These are all people who I connect with on an insanely deep level. It's these people that I know will be there for all the major events in my life: my wedding, the birth of my first child, even my funeral. And I also know that they will be there during my lowest moments when I need a shoulder to cry on. The majority of the people that I consider my soul mates have come into my life in the most unexpected ways, but each one of them has made an incredible impact.

So, keep your eye out for the soul mates in your life and keep them close. These are the people that will love you til the end of time and who will make you a better you. These people are your squad.