What seems like a far-off memory soon becomes a reality once again. Those memories of nights spent crying over the phone and complaining to each other about Chemistry homework you don't understand, the mornings when you see each other looking dead and realized that only coffee is keeping you from not crashing, and the times when you glance and smirk at each other when a teacher announces group projects. All will be re-visited when the moment comes that you and your high school friends reunite your first year after college. It doesn't matter how you became so close, because all memories of your friendship — ever since the day you met — will be revisited.
College is a crazy experience, especially one's first year on campus. From learning the ropes of how to do things on your own, trying to ace all of your classes while balancing your schedule with all of your extracurricular activities, and trying your best to showcase extroverted qualities in order to meet new people, it is easy to want to give up and return to the old lifestyle you once had. Your parents are no longer guiding you through life on a day-to-day basis, your sleep schedule is defined by your determination to get to class and get work done, and you now have to make all new friends right when you became a family with your high school posse ... you feel as if everything you knew is slipping away from you, one day at a time. Who is going to reassure you all will be fine?
Well, let me tell you... The truth of all this is that none of it really slips away, it just marks a new turn of events in your life. And the ones that understand best are the ones who understood you most in high school, your best friends.
It's a common saying that high school friends don't last, but I don't buy it one bit. Who can recall those moments when one of your family members said, "Oh don't worry sweetie, you'll make new friends in college. The ones you had in high school won't last forever." Sure, it is true that not all friendships made in high school last, but it is true that the ones who do stand the test of time become your second family. It may be one of the most difficult relationships to solidify and maintain, but it is a powerful one once made. Whether you are on opposite sides of the country or even different parts of the world, it makes that fateful day of seeing each other once more even better.
Once the first day of May came — for many — it was a rush of love that came pouring through messages from all those people you used to spend eight hours a day within a building you spent the previous four years studying in. The summer not only brings life to nature, but to many as people are quick to make plans with their partner in crime who they have not seen in ages. Hit up all those you were close with because — let me tell you — seeing each other after a year is one of the best moments you can experience.
Running and jumping into each other's arms while hugging one another 'til you can't breathe — college only makes the heart grow fonder. You see how much your best friends have grown and changed in looks, personality and maturity. Who cares if you look stupid, that isn't even a question anymore, because when you are with your best friend you haven't seen in over eight months, you could care less what anyone else thinks. Don't be surprised if someone you see has a new tattoo, a funky hairstyle or new edge to their clothes because no longer are you children, but adults ready to take on the world, and you're in the process of finding yourself one step at a time. You look to the future and can't imagine anyone else to discuss it with but each other. Oh ... are you worried about what you will talk about since you guys no longer share the same classes or know all the same people anymore? Who cares, because you will spend countless of hours laughing 'til you cry and listening to each other tell experiences and moments one another had throughout their first year. Whether it was the shady experience one had while at a party and got hit on by some random creep or the moment when one failed your specific major's main semester test and realized it was time to pursue a different career goal, all of these moments will be shared. Funny thing is, you won't mind at all, because you will have an inside look into your best friend's life while you were apart. You may not be blood-related, but high school united both of you together for life and it's one of the best things that could have ever happened!
Whether you cruise on the highway with the windows rolled down while blasting your favorite music at top volume, go to the restaurant that was your typical "go-to" for every occasion when someone was hungry or put on your PJs and jump into bed together while watching a marathon of Netflix shows, the friends made in high school never truly leave ... we all just grow up. It's one of the best feelings realizing that someone you met when you were in the early stages of maturity will eventually be there when you reach milestone moments in life, whether it be your wedding or even at your 25th high school reunion! If you can make it through two semesters, four quarters or three trimesters of school apart from each other, you can get through anything.
