When you bring up high school, most people have one of two reactions. They either think back to simpler times and great memories, or they shudder in horror and embarrassment at the thought of their former selves. But, if you had a best friend or group of great friends in high school that are still by your side today, you know that those four years gave you a gift that made up for all the bad parts.
Making true, life-long friends in high school is rare, yet incredibly special. You see each other through the worst, most uncool times and grow together in a way that shouldn't be taken lightly. I was lucky enough to make a few friends early on that I'm still very close with. No matter where life takes us, we'll always have each other's backs, and I'm so grateful for that.
First, I need to thank them for liking me when I was a weirdo. We were all weirdos, but it was definitely nice to know I wasn't alone. Looking back at old pictures, I see just how awkward, strange, and unaware we really were. But, we lifted each other up and supported every strange outfit and bad haircut along the way.
I want to thank them for making high school bearable. My girlfriends and I could talk for eight hours straight about anything and everything. We had the same celebrity crushes. We shared the same taste in music that we thought was super punk and unique, and we faced the same "cool kids" who thought we weren't enough. Those girls supported everything I did and always made my days brighter. My guy friends were just as important. They never let me take myself too seriously, and they made me laugh until I couldn't breathe. Whether they were seeing how high they could lift my desk (with me in it) or giving me life advice, every moment was beyond interesting.
Lastly, I want to thank each of them for staying by my side and proving that some friendships can outlast any amount of time or distance. Most of us have gone in completely different directions with our lives, but catching up is never difficult. We can always pick right back up where we left off like nothing has changed since 2014. I know that if I ever needed anything, these people would be there. This is why I am thankful for high school. Without it, I wouldn't have met some of my very favorite people.
