Most people have had a childhood best friend and are still best friends when they get older and enter adulthood. They have had good and bad experiences with each other but they always end up forgiving one another. Having a best friend can change your life for the better. They are there for you when you least expect them to be and they always take time out of their day to make sure you're alright. I had and still have a best friend and her name is Kim.

I met Kim in the second grade when she transferred from Wright School to Columbus Elementary. The first time I met her we became friends and I even showed her around the school before lunch. She was the outgoing and talkative type of person, which was the opposite of me. We would always play at recess together and sit by each other at lunch.

There are times when best friends fight or get into arguments. It happens to best friends all the time, even Kim and I. When people start branching off from their friends to find who they are and which group they want to be in, they often leave those friends behind them. This happened to Kim and I. Since I was the nice and quiet type of person, and she was the opposite, she wanted to find friends who were like her and who were "popular." I didn't mind her finding other friends, but the thing that bothered me the most was she didn't acknowledge me, it was like I didn't exist anymore. I confronted her about it several times, and she would just brush off everything I said.

Eventually I got tired of her ignoring me and I stopped her before lunch, and asked her why she stopped talking to me. This went on for a few months and I didn't understand why. I was pretty angry at this point because all I wanted to know was why. I told her if she wanted to be friends with the "popular" group then that was fine. But sooner or later she was going to find out who was going to be there for her when things went wrong and who actually cared about her. A few weeks later she came back to me to apologize for what she did. Of course I forgave her because she was my best friend and she was back!

It's times like those when you are grateful to have someone so special in your life, that it hurts when you feel like you lost them. In my case I didn't and I was very thankful. We have been through so much together, from family troubles, to band and marching band, even after high school and into college. She is the one I can count on to be there for me whenever I need her. She doesn't judge me but instead is happy for all of my accomplishments, as am I for her.

She is the person who will go out of her way to help me no matter what it is. She even came five hours from Corry to Keystone to surprise me and spend her birthday with me! I am lucky to have her in my life and to call her my best friend. She was and still is there for me when I have a bad day or when something goes wrong. Her faith in me is so strong and I am very thankful for that. She is my best friend and I love her like a sister. I will do anything for her because she means so much to me!

Having a best friend is very special and you know you can count on them for anything. They are the ones who accept you for who you are and wouldn't change you for the world. They are there for you during the good times and especially the bad times with a shoulder to cry on and a hug to comfort you. Always be grateful for the best friend in your life. Sure, there are going to be times when you both fight but you will always be best friends no matter what. I'm glad Kim is my best friend. I don't know what I would do without her.