From being introduced to each other in
Yes, I knew I cared about them but I didn’t realize that they were an extension of what I consider family until I left for school. They were the ones who I had my first sleepover with, the ones who were with me when I made a bad decision and got grounded because of it, but most importantly, they were the ones who were the hardest to say goodbye to when I left for school. I always thought when I went away to college I would find different friends who would understand me just the same, but this was not the case.
Looking back, it seems as if we have gone through everything together. From going on shared family vacations and hanging out every day whether we were at school or did something over the weekend, to having to deal with two girls in the group chat who are fighting over practically nothing, we can say that it feels like we have overcome and triumphed anything that life has thrown at us, together.
The best thing about growing up with the same group of friends is knowing that you will always have a support system. They know who you are, what you like, and what you want to achieve in life. They were the fans who cheered you on the loudest during your high school sport games and the ones who supported you when you wanted to go out with that guy even if they didn’t like him, because they knew they would pick you back up when he broke your heart. This made you feel comfortable to try anything new. They helped you pick out an outfit for your first interview, or would even tell you to not wear that shirt, because they always have your best interest at heart and always will. They want the best for you and always want to see you happy.
Not only did they give you their unconditional support, but they gave you a partner in crime to do anything you wanted. From doing the good and trying the bad, there’s nobody else you want to try new things with. They were the ones who experienced everything with you. But now, because you are all thousands of miles away from each other, they have become the first people you text to show what new things you have done, the ones you screenshot messages to so they can help you come up with a response, the ones who you complain to over facetime when you’re walking to class, and the ones you now wish were there with you experiencing such new freedom.
No matter where you are in the world, your hometown friends will always be with you in heart. It gets tough. You were all used to being in each other’s company for 15 years every day. Because everyone is spread across the country and are living in different time zones, communication lacks between you all. You don’t talk as much as you used to, but each day something reminds you of them. When you are out at night and hear a song that you used to blast in your car, you don’t sing it as loud as if you were to be with your day one friends.
To all my hometown friends, you will forever be my second family. I know that we may be apart for most of the year but it just makes coming home that more special. In the end, when we all graduate college, we will be back in that same hometown, blasting the same old songs we listened to and be back to enjoying each other’s company. No other friends will ever understand me as well as you.
