They say that distance can transform your relationships with friends, that once meant the most to you, during a specific point in your life. Throwback to four years ago, my freshman year of college, when I remember hearing seniors saying they “never talked to their high school friends anymore.” The next three years, I constantly heard that “people change,” and “life gets in the way; that it becomes "too hectic to hold onto those hometown friends forever.” As valid as that argument is, I can personally say I would never want to give up a friendship with those who meant the most to me. Despite the distance and diligence that came with my new found college life, I can definitely say that without my girls, I wouldn’t have been able to conquer the four years of high school and the past four years of college as well. Here’s an essential shoutout to all my hometown homies that kept me going:

The friend that was there from the start

This girl was your first friend in Middle School and stayed a true friend up until now. Despite the horror of your humiliating and disgracing 7th-grade, self-filmed web shows, she somehow accepted you as a friend. You both have been through it all together, thick and thin. She knows you better than you know myself sometimes and always offers grace and transparency in every situation. No matter where life takes the two of you, your friendship won't stop at anything

The friend that taught you everything

She never judges, ridicules, competes or envies. She always offers advice no matter the difficulty of the situation. She was the first one that taught you about love and how to deal with heartbreak. This friend is still your go-to-gal for guidance and consolation well into your adult years. This girl always wants the best for you and supports you no matter what. You thank her for teaching you everything you didn’t know, warning her about the boy you shouldn’t mess with and telling you when you were in the wrong.

The friend that had a relationship with you that no one quite understood

This girl is the one that would make you crack up over nothing. The humor and jokes you two shared almost made it seem like you spoke in code. She made all the mean girls, stupid boys, and horrible teachers just seem like a comedy show in your life. She never let you take anything too seriously and always knew what to do to make you smile. Even when you’re down, to this day, you can always count on this girl to recite an inside joke to make you laugh and keep life’s tribulations in perceptive.

The others

There are so many honest and authentic friends made in high school. While it is presumed that during the 4 years of college you might become out of touch, you will never forget the times shared with these girls. When you see them you know nothing has changed and that they will always share a commonality and relationship no distance or time could tear apart.