We have all heard the saying, “Make new friends, but keep the old.” Here are 10 reasons why your oldest friends are your best friends.
1. You never have to worry about judgment.“Sweatpants, hair tied, chillin’ with no makeup on,” is the epitome of my friendships with my oldest friends. The idea of feeling even remotely uncomfortable or embarrassed in front of them is nothing short of hysterical. How could I get red-faced with someone who’s already seen every hideous tankini I’ve ever worn and knows about my rock collection? Yeah, every card is already on the table.
2. They're low maintenance.
A lot of the time, it takes work in order to maintain a close friendship. It’s exhausting; texting someone every day, hanging out every other day, and asking for updates on each other’s lives on a weekly basis. Now, I’m not complaining about these close relationships, but I want to give a shout out to those friends who aren’t so needy. An old friend doesn’t care if you shoot them a daily text or not, and they don’t care if they’re not the first one to hear about the latest news in your life. No, older friends will patiently wait for you to call, and, with whatever it is that you choose to tell them, they are waiting to be both happy or sad with you. They care about you, not so much the small imperfections that are everyday life.
3. You never run out of things to talk about.
Awkward silences are just not a thing when it comes to our old friends. We can talk endlessly, about anything and everything, and things just never get weird. I find myself having, “Remember that time when—“ conversations with these friends almost every time I see them. There are a million throwback stories to tell and memories that were made, and they just never seem to get old. Chances are, you’ll be telling some of them at a wedding one day.
4. They're selfless.I once had an old friend say, “If you need me, I’m here. If you don’t need me, I’m still here.” It was so simple, yet it implied everything that I already knew to be true. Old friends are truly only a phone call away, because they are the most selfless type of friends. You know that they’re equally as busy as you are, but somehow they find the time to be there when you need them. They never look for anything in return, but you find yourself continuously wanting to make them proud.
5. They're a breath of fresh air.
Sometimes we get caught up in new people, places, and experiences. Sometimes we forget where we come from, and how much easier life had once been. Spending time with an old friend can help us find our roots again, and more importantly, remind us how lucky we are to have such a person our life. There are times where I honestly just need a break, and I’m thankful that I know exactly who to call.
6. They understand you better than most.
Even if you haven’t spoken to them in a long time, old friends always seem to understand you better than others. I find that sometimes, my oldest friends really know what’s best for me, even if I don’t quite know it myself. They know what I’ve been through, they know why I act the way that I do, and I never have to explain myself. An old friend is someone who just gets it. They’re almost always on your side, and if not, they’re not afraid to tell you everything that you don’t want to hear.
7. They're the best listeners.
Do you ever just feel like life has it out for you in the worst way? Are you ever slightly embarrassed by some of the stuff that upsets you, so you just don’t tell anyone out of fear of being annoying? With an old friend, everything comes out. Free of judgment, it’s so relieving being able to talk to someone whom you know will always have an answer, and more importantly, will always care. You can have “real talk” with these friends, and feel free saying things that maybe you wouldn’t be able to admit otherwise.
8. They always have your back.
If they were homies with you back when you had a bob-cut and wore boys’ clothing to school in the 5th grade, they’re obviously your homie for life. That being said, they’ve always got your back, and they’re always on your side. If you ever need someone to complain to, even if your opinion is dead wrong, you can always count on this friend to give a sh*t. Even if it has been 10 years since that girl kissed your 6th grade crush, this friend will forever tell everyone else that she’s a b*tch. They’re your day one, your homegirl, and your OG.
9. There are no boundaries.I have a pair of elementary school-style underwear in my room with my best friend’s last name Sharpied on the inside. If that’s not both the weirdest thing you’ve ever heard and the ideal symbol of friendship, you might need to reevaluate what you consider to be “close.” Hell, maybe I’m too close with my oldest friends sometimes, but I love everything about it. As your friend, it’s more than their right to see and hear every embarrassing and disgusting detail that goes on in your world.
10. They really do love you; always have, and always will.
Look, if they didn’t love you, there’s no way in hell that they would have stuck around after you were Darth Vader three Halloweens in a row. Friends come and go, but the friends who can’t be replaced are the ones who’ve been there through it all. It’s not every day that you find someone so caring, someone that doesn’t demand so much attention, and someone who really loves you unconditionally. Trust me, your world gets rocked, your heart becomes lighter, and life gets a whole lot better. So, if you’ve got yourself a forever friend, make sure you hold on tight, because they don’t come around often.
