Over the past few months I have been reconnecting with a friend that I made my first year of college. We got along so well, and we even worked our first summer job together! But because we were both so busy, we weren’t really able to maintain the friendship at the same level. Then one day I randomly decided to veer off my usual path and grab a coffee from Starbucks which I do not usually frequent. My friend was sitting at a table talking to her friends, and we greeted each other saying we needed to catch up! So we made a google calendar invite and actually reconnected! Getting ready to enter my senior year of college with someone who knew me as a freshman has been insanely fun and has taught me a lot about myself and what I value. Here are the top 5 things that make me encourage you to reach out to an old friend!

1. You have ~hella~ history

For better or worse, they knew you at a different time in your life. They can bring back some of the authenticity of remembering your roots, and a good friend will help you find value in that .

2. You can have inside jokes that are funny and nostalgic at the same time.

Inside jokes are always HiLariOuS. But combine this with an old friend who knew you when you thought your roommate conflict or the newest drama in your first college friend group was the end of the world, can make for a joke that hits you in all the feels.

3. You are reminded of why you became friends in the first place.

This can uncover old traits that you used to value in a good friendship, which can maybe help you re identify what is important to you in your more current relationships. You can also discover what drew you to this person as a friend which can make your relationship with them stronger now.

4. You can both laugh (maybe cringe) at all the stuff you did when you were younger.

From not knowing where any of your classes were, to something as deep as a shift in beliefs, you both can look back at each others OG selves. These old world views can create some hilarious stories because you might have done things very differently if you could do it over. But a true friend will look back at your old self and accept even your cringiest of moments because they are a part of who you are.

5. A good friend will know that regardless of history, you have the ability to change and grow.

This is probably the best thing about reconnecting with old friends. Even though you have a past, if they are also in a growth oriented mindset you can both appreciate the positive developments you have made in your life. They won’t box you into a label that you don’t want anymore because they realize that your life isn’t stagnant and neither is theirs. Friendship is a journey which implies forward movement, and it can be so satisfying to have a friend from you past help pull you into your future!