It is the beginning of summer. All your college friends are dispersed and have their own schedules. You will miss them, but you are also falling back into a weirdly normal routine with your home friends. It is like you've never left them. Well, this is the case if you are lucky. In my case, I am very lucky.

Since we have been home for the summer, I have realized how important it is to stay connected to the friends you grew up with. Yes, when you mature and grow up, you make friends that fit certain stages in your life, but there is no replacement for time. You can not replace friends who have been around you through it all. If you are lucky, they stuck by your side during elementary school, middle school, and high school.

This means that they were around for your awkward stage, and they stayed your friend. They can reminisce about how embarrassing your outfit choices used to be, and how ugly your childhood crush has gotten. Old friends are the best because they grow with you. Even if you haven't seen them in a while, the second you reunite it feels like no time has passed. You're able to reminisce, catch up, and continue to grow up together.

In my case, so much has changed in the past year. Though I am happy, and most have these changes have been good, everything is an adjustment. My home friends have been the constant within a year of changes. It is comforting to know that you can lean on the same people that have supported you for so long.

Now that it's summer, chances are most of your home friends will be around for a while. You guys can be nostalgic and do things that you have missed doing together, look at old pictures, or just stay in an watch Mean Girls or Mamma Mia together for the thousandth time. Take advantage of this time and continue to make memories with these friends. Don't forget the people who shaped you, and made you who you are.

Shoutout to my ~girls~ who have stuck by me for so many years, and continue to support me no matter what! Send an old friend a text, or grab lunch with someone from high school and hold on to the friendships that matter so much.