Your middle school friends are arguably some of the best friends that you've had, for they were with you through some of the worst and most awkward times of your life. If you went through a very awkward phase in middle school, like I did (think braces, glasses, and frizzy hair), then you are probably very grateful to your friends for sticking by your side and making those painful years a little less painful. So, I've compiled a list of five reasons why you will always be grateful for your middle school friends.
1. They befriended you during a time where you needed a friend the most.
As I said, middle school is a time of your life that kinda really sucks. I for one had a lot of trouble trying to figure out who I was in the world during middle school. However, having my friends by my side made my self discovery easier. We all were going through the same thing, thus we endured it together.
2. They helped you begin to grow up.
I remember talking to my best friend back then on the phone, deciding that we should start wearing eye-liner and that we should try to get a boyfriend. Though now looking back our desire to grow up so fast seems silly, it also was nice to have someone to grow up with.
3. They also helped you retain your inner child.
Despite our desire to grow up, I still remember the fun, child-like memories my best friend and I had together. From making up stories while lying on the floor of my walk in closet, to dressing up in crazy outfits, we still brought out our inner child when we were together, despite the constant desire to grow up.
4. They provided your first form of emotional support.
Sleepovers with my friends from school would always become deep conversations, where we would discuss who we were and what we wanted from life. These friends were there for me during some of the roughest parts of my life, and they always offered a shoulder to cry on, or an ear to listen.
5. They shaped who you are today.
I found one of my favorite book series through one of my friends. I discovered my favorite band at that time (long live the Jonas Brothers) through one of my friends. Another friend got me into Girl Scouts, and even though I was only a member for a year, it left me looking for that sense of female companionship I found through it, and thus led me to joining my sorority. My group of friends encouraged my interest in hippie culture and dressed as hippies with me on Halloween, which ultimately led to my developing the free spirit outlook that I have today. My friends in middle school helped developed my interests during that time that ultimately led me to who I am today.
Though I don't talk to my middle school friends that much anymore (we generally just like each other's Facebook posts and Instagram photos and not much else), I will always be thankful for the impact that they left on my life. Middle school is a difficult time of change for everyone, but with your friends by your side, it became a lot easier.
