You know that one friend that knows your brother’s best friend, everything about your first boyfriend, and your mom’s favorite TV channel? What about that one friend that you traveled with last year that understands your love for meeting new people? And what about your friend that accompanies you to every happy hour as well as every late night study session at the library? Although each one of these people may be a part of a different friend group, you don’t love one any less or any more. In fact, you love them uniquely and wholeheartedly, which is what makes each friendship so special. Different friend groups don’t replace each other; they simply make an addition to people you want to share your life with.

Your friends from home—these are the people you grew up with since “Hannah Montana” was around and “Year 3000” was your most played song on your iPod shuffle. From comparing Webkinz stuffed animals with each other to sending each other mass email chains (woops—were my friends and I the only ones who did that? Awk) to playing high school sports together, these people know you better than you know yourself. Let’s not forget when Soulja Boy played at the 8th grade homecoming dance—these friends didn’t judge your ridiculous dance moves. While time and distance may have separated you all after high school, you know that these people will always be a text or call away if needed.

Your travel friends—these are the people who understood a part of you that very few people will get to know. Whether it was trying to navigate your way through an airport in a different language, or trying to find hostels last-minute before the sun went down, the experiences that you guys shared made the bond incredibly strong. The people you share your highs and lows with in a foreign country know you well enough to know when you are uncomfortable, excited, or in awe without you having to say a word. They know your adventurous side more than anyone back home does. When you return back home and part ways, you know that although you may go weeks or months without talking to them, they will never forget the moments and feelings you two shared in another place.

Your college friends—these are the people that help shape your early adult life and know the ever-evolving you. The best thing about your college group of friends is that it was like starting over—you knew nothing about each other’s past. Getting to know each other made you appreciate the differences between you two almost as much as the similarities. Whether you met them in your sorority, an organization you’re involved in, or mutual friends, they became a part of your daily life instantly. These years become some of the most important in our lives because we are becoming the people we want to be, therefore, the friends that surround us during this time help us and join us through the journey. Although it’s always relaxing being back home, you look forward to going back to school because of these people.

It’s so great to know that although they all may not even know each other, they make the perfect addition to each other. No matter where you met them or at what stage in your life you met them—these people all contribute to what makes you, you.