Growing up, we all heard from our parents that friends were to last a lifetime once you found the right one that made life seem like a joy. We all encountered our first best friend and had them come over to play with dolls, bikes or whatever seemed enjoyable at that hour. We then grew distant from said friend and moved on to the next and the next and the next which we end up in high school with the same clique since our first day as freshmen it seems like. Some people were blessed in life and were able to retain the high school friendships after the throwing of the cap, yet some of us (like myself) were not able to keep those close ties. Over time, people learn from the past and attempt to create something so rich that mahogany wood would be jealous, but what about the ones who think this is the only chance they get to fit in with people? Well said people, I can promise you that there are so many opportunities to gain, friendships that are more genuine than you could ever comprehend.

I was 18 when I lost my best friend of five years over a situation that could have been avoided entirely. Yes, I had my other best friend who I recently bonded with, but it was five years of my life down the drain with one person who knew my deepest, darkest secrets and loved all my flaws. It was a friendship that helped me transition into my staying in Louisiana and my newest friendship in a new state where I was new and scared. This was the friendship that I counted on most and the friendship that killed me. It destroyed me to the point where I was ready to pack up, leave and move on, which is pretty much a breakup. I put all my energy into my work and the one friend that I had/have in my hometown, but keep in mind, she was hardly from here and lived 30 minutes away in another state. I then came to realize that the friendship I had with her grew and was so much stronger than any friendship I had had before, but I was leaving for my new life in a new state and of course we went through our long distance phase while I was off to college. This put a fork in our road because it was hard to communicate with me studying and her going out and doing things, so pretty much our friendship was on hold until I came back.

My dad once told me that people in high school hardly stayed friends, but I wanted to defy him and prove otherwise, and yet I failed miserably. He then told me that the ones I gain in college are the ones I need to treasure, for these are the ones that will be with me for life. I was so open to people at school and I was eager to meet everyone, even if I had an awful resting face that turned some away. Over time, I went through a few friends until I finally found my group, or "squad" as one says. These are the ones that would come with me to Walmart at 11 p.m. strictly for cookies or take me home to meet their parents. They were the ones that were down for road trips, family dinners, and nap/Netflix sessions in someone's bed. I loved them more than I could ever imagine and we all suffocated each other. As someone introverted and a tad claustrophobic, this relationship with five other girls was so new to me that I did not know I could possess so much love for the people that made me seem whole. I guess you could say college taught me on how to be a better person and friend along with the academic studies.

So what does this all mean? What matters of my life with so many friendships? It matters for the people who are afraid to leave home and the friends they think they will have forever. It matters to the people who think that they do not have anyone and college will be exactly the same. This matters for it is a reminder that nothing will stay the same because life changes and people change more than one could ever dream. I say this to let people know that there is no end to anything, but something about to go into full bloom because it is so beautiful. This is the friendship you want to gain because I know any one of my girls would drive six hours to see me if I absolutely needed it and I would never let that go. I guess at the end of the day you need to realize that a friend is the one who you're not afraid to send ugly snaps to because they'll keep them just to send in a group text, but they'll post your best picture on social media.