High school, much like life, is an unpredictable road. We often don’t know where we’re going, what we’re doing, or who we truly are. If you’re lucky, you’ll end up spending four years with people who help you figure that all out. In high school, I was blessed with six amazing girls to call my best friends forever. Here’s why our high school best friends are some of the most important people we will ever meet.

They’re always there for you.

Having a group of people who are always there to like your Instagram pictures, go get breakfast at midnight, and just pick up the phone and listen to is one of the best feelings on earth. They understand anything you might be going through because they understand you.

They’re just as weird as you.

Before we were able to drive, we had to make our own fun at our houses. Do you want to reenact every second of “Dirty Dancing” in your living room because it’s your favorite movie? Feel like skipping that big frat party to spend $30 on glow sticks, put on your old dance costumes, and sing some Disney karaoke? Your high school best friends are the only people on earth who won’t judge you for being this lame because they all do it, too.

They’ve truly seen you at your worst.

They still hung out with you when you cried hysterically in public after your first heartbreak, tried the Zooey Deschanel bangs, and busted your butt at the pep rally in front of the whole school. There might be an entire archive of mortifying stories and pictures that go along with your friendship, but it survived those awkward teen years; it can survive anything.

If you’re lucky, they’ll stick around forever.

The crew is moving all around the country for college? No sweat. Your group text will still be blowing up every day, guaranteed. Once summer rolls around, you’ll be inseparable. They’re the ones rooting for you as you experience all the firsts of college. They will always pick up the phone to listen, even if you haven’t talked in months. They will be the ones you always sprint to when you see them, because they give the best hugs ever. They’re your sisters, your mothers, and your friends all rolled into one.

Here’s to you, high school BFFs. You saw me at my worse and loved me anyways. You listened, lifted me up, and taught me how to be a true friend. Life after high school gets pretty crazy, but I know I always have you to come back to.