As if having a sister was not enough, I got blessed with having my next-door neighbors as my best friends. Never in a million years would I have thought that two boys, my sister's age and mine, would move right next door to my family. Thank goodness this happened because I automatically gained two new best friends. We have seen each other grow up throughout the years and have always had someone to talk to. They became family very quickly and we were inseparable. We lived at their house in the winter, going sledding and drinking hot cocoa, and then in the summer they would venture to our house and swim in the pool. Our families became tight-knit and monthly barbecues became the regular. Yes, we all have changed over the years, but I know in my heart that we will always be friends.
At the start, it was like having our own little elementary school gang, and we thought we were the coolest kids on the block. We would take over the neighborhood on our scooters and we could see the jealous stares of the other neighbors as they envied our friendship. We basically lived outdoors, constantly having kickball and capture the flag tournaments that ended with us in the pool. That was the beauty of the friendship; they had the yard, we had the pool. Thinking back to those days, I miss how we actually played outside. Our childhood was not spent on video games and electronics, but rather we appreciated the fresh air outdoors.
As the middle school years rolled around, awkward haircuts and nerdy clothes became a trademark. I tried to rock the bob while they attempted to pull off the gelled back hair. I think we all failed. We still constantly played outside, but things got more competitive. Our kickball field appeared to have shrunk and we knew by heart all the good places to hide the flag for capture the flag, so we had to resort to basketball and football. And I can tell you tears were shed, not only from us girls. It was win or die, and we all took it very seriously. Somehow no one got too badly hurt, but we did break a few things. Oops.
When the high school years finally came into view, we started to head our separate ways but stayed connected through the late nights we spent together. Kickball games and juice boxes turned into bonfires and beer, but it was as if things had never changed. Laughs were still heard and we were always brutally honest. We had become family over the years and we could confide in one another about anything. We knew each other's fears and worries, and we were always around to give advice, even if it was terrible. No longer were we the young little innocent children, but we were actually growing up; sooner or later we would all go our separate ways.
After graduation, we all went to different colleges, but we always make time to see each other over breaks. We have new stories to tell and tales to laugh at. Every one of us has changed, but our friendship is still there. We reminisce about old memories and look forward to those in the future. We started the first day of kindergarten and ended the last day of high school together, and I plan to be front row, or a bridesmaid, at their weddings. They have become true family and nothing can change our friendship from becoming stronger.
