Everyone remembers those truly embarrassing middle school days – braces, ill-fitting sweatshirts, cringe-worthy Facebook posts, etc – and yet somehow we were still able to make friends in hindsight to all of those things. And although middle school was many years ago and many of those friendships no longer exist, the ones that have stayed together are the strongest of them all. This is why your friends you still have from middle school are going to be your best friends for life:

1. They’ve seen you on your worst days, literally

If they were your best friend even when you had side bangs, they’re going to be your best friends through anything

2. There are way too many inside jokes to count

Whenever I’m with my best friends from middle school, there is at least always one “remember when…” convo brought up. It makes you want to die from embarrassment, but it’s hilarious nonetheless

3. They’ll be there for you no matter what

If they were there in eighth grade when you broke up with your first boyfriend, they’ll be with you in your twenties when all you need is some Ben & Jerry’s and a good Gossip Girl session

4. Throwback music jamming sessions are always the best with them

Blast Party in the U.S.A. or You Belong With Me and we’ll party like it’s 2009 all over again

5. Their families have become second families

After being friends with somebody for so long, you eventually get on a first name basis with their parents and love visiting them

6. Their homes are seconds homes

If you don’t get to see your best friends as often as you used to, sleepovers at each other’s houses just like how you did back in middle school bring so much nostalgia and make you realize how much you truly love your friendship

7. You never have to be afraid of embarrassing yourself in front of them

You literally can only go up from when you met them

8. Your group messages are the highlight of your day

Being so close means text messages can vary from hilarious memories shared to just updating each other on how each other's college lives are a mess

9. Bringing out the old yearbooks are always the best/worst idea

You can't help but laugh/cringe while reliving those "glory" days, but going down memory lane also shows how close you've been for all these years

10. It’s nearly impossible to break that many years of friendship

No matter how far apart you are, no matter how often you talk, your best friends from middle school have been there for you for so many years. Having such a deep connection is truly amazing, and they will be there for you for only more years to come