"A friend is one that knows you as you are, understands where you have been, accepts what you have become, and still gently allows you to grow." - William Shakespeare

We've all made plenty of friends over the years, but there are very few people in this world that we can truly count on. You may have grown out of your limited-too jean skirt, Abercombie & Fitch graphic tee's, and silly bandz but these friends are the one thing that hasn't changed since middle school. They've seen you in your awkward stage, and they even know where that guy you dated in 8th grade ended up, but they love you anyway. Not having them in your life doesn't make sense at all. You're nearing the part of life when the hopes and dreams you sat in your bedroom talking about are starting to come true: finishing school, getting jobs and getting married. Even though it's bittersweet, and kind of crazy, it's amazing that they're still by your side just as they promised they would be, years ago.

1. You guys are too real with each other sometimes.

Often times it's hard not to be offended by what they're saying. They're very blunt with their opinions of your new shoes, your new boyfriend, your college friends, and pretty much everything else in your life.

2. You guys can double, triple, and quadruple text each other with no shame even if they don't answer.

"Hey, do you like these shoes? I changed my mind. How about these ones? Hello? Are you alive? Seriously this is important!"

3. They never fail to remind you of how weird you were in middle school.

The colored skinny jean and band T-shirt phase, oh and Remember when you dated ____? They may remind you of it constantly, but hey, at least, they stuck around.

4. You know each other's parents almost too well.

You've gone on countless family vacations, spent weeks at a time at their house and grown almost as close to their parents as your own. No, it's not weird to receive a text message from them regularly.

5. You're not afraid to argue with them.

Because usually you have something really important to tell them forty-five minutes later and you're way too attached to stay mad at them for too long.

6. They've tagged along to countless family events, vacations, and random things that you didn't want to go to alone.

Thanks for coming to my nieces christening, and every. single. one. of my brothers basketball games for four years.

7. Your closets are filled with each other’s clothes from years and years of hanging out.

"Is that my sweater?" "When did you borrow that shirt?" "Hey, I have nothing to wear can I come over?"

8. Significant others have to get used to you.

Sometimes the lack of boundaries you guys share can make new loves uncomfortable. Yes I'm calling her in the middle of your date, and I'm definitely going to third wheel when I have nothing to do, and no I am not sorry about it.

9. You're not afraid to give each other tough love.

I mean, who else is going to tell them when they're acting like a crazy person? Or that they're being a little too dramatic about not getting a text back from that guy?

10. You guys hate all the same people.

Some of them you don't even know why you hate, it's just the principle of it.

11. You know every embarrassing story by heart.

and you laugh about them over, and over again.

12. You never run out of things to talk about.

13.You talked about all your hopes and dreams as kids.

It's kind of bittersweet that they're all coming true, right now.

14. You've been there through all of the good times, but, more importantly, every tragedy and heartbreak.

She stood by you during your parents divorce and sat with you in the bathroom when that boy broke your heart. She's seen you at your highest of highs and your lowest of lows, regardless, she's still here.

15. You know an alarming number of ways to irritate the crap out of each other.

16. You can call them at absolutely any time of the day or night.

17. You can spend days together without wanting to kill each other.

and you usually miss them the second they leave..

18. You can just show up at their house, and it's not weird.

"Where are you?" -- "Your house"

19. No matter how much time you spend apart, you're always excited to see them.

20. You talk about your futures and you talk about each other as a part of them.

Just like you talked about this part of life in middle school, you talk about growing old with each other or being the crazy drunk aunt at parties and you have no doubt, they will still be there.

It's comforting to know, that no matter where life takes me, you guys will always be by my side. We've had our ups and downs but I can't imagine my life without you. Thank you for everything you've done for me over the years. Thank you for making me the best version of myself. Thank you for helping me see I was worth more than that boy could ever give me. Thank you for believing in me, even when I don't believe in myself. And most importantly, thank you for being you, and thank you for always being by my side.