All of us had best friends growing up. We all had friends that we considered to be friends for life. Majority of the time those relationships will fade out and you will only keep up on Facebook. One of the relationships I look up to is my dad's relationship with his childhood best friend.

My Dad and Ken met when they were 9 at camp and have been best friends ever since. Back then they didn't have phones to talk on the weekend of anything, they had faith every summer that the other would show up at camp the next summer. Ken grew up in Michigan and my Dad grew up in Northern Indiana so there was a large amount of distance between the two, and at the age of 9 they couldn't just drive to see each other.

They kept up their relationship through the years. They both ended up moving out to California so they got into trouble on the weekends together. They even ended up buying condos at the same ski resort when they got tired of cramming into a tiny studio.

We ended up moving away from California, but that didn't stop their friendship. Every year at spring break we come back and we all reunite in the condos that they bought 30 years ago. I can proudly call them family. We have watched his kids grow up, and they have watched us grow up. It is one of the coolest friendships I have ever seen.

Our families together skiing

Debra Feldstein

This past week they went on a hiking trip just the two of them and had the time of their lives. Whenever they're together they act like no time has passed at all. They came back with piles of random trash that they had found, and they had a blast. They were digging through their trash acting like the 9 year old boys they are at heart.

I can only hope that one day I have a friendship like Dad and Ken have. They have one of the best friendships I have ever seen. Their relationship has shown me it doesn't matter how far apart you may live from your best friend, you can always keep that bond. I know that they have given me a great example for my camp best friend and myself. I know that one day this will be us, and that makes me beyond happy.

I wouldn't be the same person without their whole family. I am thankful everyday I have them in my life. Keep the people around that make you a better person, and remember where you came from. Those childhood best friends dealt with you growing up, so they can handle about anything. Love you guys, and thanks for always being family.