After a recent visit from one of my best childhood friends, I've come to realize why I cherish my friends from my home town more than anyone else. 

1. They know all of your awkward stages: Like all of your acne phases. And don't forget how close you guys got when you used to use their extra rubber bands for your braces during sleepovers because you forgot yours at home. They were there to lend you a maxi pad in a time of need and they were also there with balloons and popcorn when you finally got your braces off. Basically, these people know sides of you that your college friends would never understand.

2. They know your delinquent phase: These girls were there for that party you threw Freshman year of high school.. you know, the one that your mom found out about because you left a shot glass in the garbage disposal (rookie mistake). You've been through it all together. Every bad basement party, every water bottle filled with cheap vodka and every night smoking hookah with those sketchy kids from your neighborhood. Your best friends are the ones who know exactly which bottles of your mom's wine that you can drink without her noticing (sorry mom).

3. They know the inner workings of your family: They have seen/heard about those terrible fights with your parents. They know exactly which radio station your mom listens to in her car from countless carpool rides to school/the movies. When I say "Eyebrows" my best friends know exactly which one of my mom's ex-boyfriends I am referring to. Their favorite spaghetti recipe is the one your mom makes and your favorite cupcake recipe is the one their mom makes. Going back to their house is like seeing extended family, and somehow their mom always associates you with something you liked when you were twelve ("Oh my God Natalie is here?! I must get out the fruit bowl, Natalie LOVES fruit" - exact quote). They've even been on family vacations with you.

4. You can bring up those undying thoughts about random people from your childhood and they actually understand: My friend group CANNOT be the only friend group in the world that randomly texts in the group chat: "OMG you'll never guess who I just saw in Target while I was home this weekend!" *inserts random name of guy from Elementary school* Sometimes these things happen, you'll run into your middle school boyfriend at the groccery store, or you'll see your 9th grade algebra teacher in line at Panera Bread. The only people who will appreciate this as much as you do are the ones who were there through it all.

5. You grew up with these people, that has to count for something: Your best friends are the ones that were with you when you went to see your first PG-13 movie in the theater (and later when you snuck into your first R rated movie). They were with you before you were a licensed driver. They were there for countless bad picture days in high school. They know your closet like the back of their hand (and vice-versa). Half of your clothes you bought in high school got transferred to their closet at some point (ie: going back to their house a year later and finding that cute sweater you bought at Forever 21 Sophomore year of high school in the back of their closet). They were there when your beloved dog died. They know about your worst period story ever and you know theirs. You were there to console them when Heath Ledger died. And they were there to support you through your "Twilight Phase" (team Edward btw). I could honestly go on forever, but ill cut it off with Twilight because that essentially sums up my entire adolescence.