Best friends are what makes the world go round, and without those friends, we wouldn’t be who we are today. None of us would have the memories we carry or the laughs we have shared. What we have is truly special as high school friends. Leaving for college is hard- and to anyone reading this who hasn’t experienced their friend group getting split up after high school end. But, it’s not the most terrible thing because these ties hold strong and long distance is much easier with your best friends than with any other relationship. Praise Jesus for group chats, Snapchat, Twitter or really any other form of social media that can keep us all in the loop! Oh and don’t forget about Skype, because you CAN do a multi-way Skype and it’s the best thing ever.

As the friend that is the furthest away from everyone-- it’s hard, and so many others can relate. It’s hard to keep everyone updated when school gets busy and life as well but it’s also hard when the friends who are close get to go home more and see each other a few more times than myself. Although it may be hard at times, to be away, it’s manageable. I know there are friend groups that are spread across the country right now so I’m thankful that we get to be reunited on breaks. College is weird without my best friends. No longer are we able to just walk down the street to tell each other what happened during 5th period, or catch up on the latest high school drama. It may be called growing up, but if so- then I would be ok with not growing up so fast!

But there’s one thing that every best friend really needs to know as we part ways for college: you won’t be replaced. High school friends will make some great friends in college- lifelong hopefully. Even though life gets busy, no place in our hearts can be replaced by high school friends- they are some of the best. We will forever be family-- if anyone doesn’t have this "family" I sure hope they find it soon because it’s something so special.

Being back in the same town is awesome and getting back together is even better! You know you are best friends when after months apart, nothing has changed. It is easy to sit around for hours talking, letting time escape us. Everyone has high school friends, and when they get back together it is as if no time has passed at all.Some people prefer one best friend, but for those of you who don’t have this group of best friends—I encourage you to be open to groups of friends because it is a blast and within this one group you have so many individual relationships that can be strengthened! A huge shoutout to every best friend out there, to the ones who always have others backs when it’s not just convenient for them, and to the friends who love each other unconditionally.

I hope you always stay this way. Love y’all like family!