This past week has been one of the best. Not only was my trip to Pawley's Island a much needed change of pace (slow, sleeping-in mornings instead of cramming for exams), but it was filled with a whole lot of laughter and reminiscing on some great memories. Why? It was with a group of my high school best friends.

When we leave for college, we often wonder what it'll be like to come home for the first time. Will our friends be the same? Will our parents still give us a midnight curfew? Will Jimmy still be madly in love with Allie? Hundreds of questions run through our minds. But the second your high school friends come together, something clicks. You pick up where you left off, and it's as if you never left.

This week, I couldn't help but think why high school friends are some of the life-long friends that will never leave. And here are a few reasons why.

1. They know your family.

One of the strangest things about going to college and meeting friends who seem as if you've known them all your life is one true fact: You haven't. They don't know about your crazy parents, your numerous, sometimes strange siblings, or your grandparents that were there for every high school sporting event. Your high school friends are the ones who have an extra seat at the dinner table, and who can walk into your house without knocking. And that never gets old.

2. They loved you in the most awkward stages.

We can all remember the braces, pimples, and terrible haircuts, right? (Those frontal bangs… oh lawd.) Somehow, our high school friends loved us and stuck around regardless. And man, looking back, I know I'm absolutely thankful they did. Your high school friends will never let you live down those terrible stages, but they never left you through them.

3. They were there for the first kisses.

Oh the “first-kiss" stories. The ones you cringe remembering, but somehow never forget. The memories of squealing and running in after your first date to find your best friends sitting in your bedroom waiting to hear every detail (and I mean Every. Single. Detail.). Your high school friends were there for the homecoming dances, the “ask-outs," and the nerve-racking first dates. To put it simply, they were there for the firsts.

4. And the first break ups.

I still can remember the first time a boy broke my freshman-year heart. That night, two of my best friends went through my neighborhood gate (well, by crawling under and leaving their car at the front entrance), ran to my house, and spent the night with me. Did I mention this was in the middle of a thunderstorm, and they didn't even bring their toothbrushes? Oh yes. To this day, I know these two girls would drop anything for me, no matter how many miles apart.

5. They were your teammates.

There's something about friendships from sports that can't be matched. From adrenaline of winning state-champs, to the hard goodbyes to a season after a tough loss, your high school teammates have an unforgettable bond through one of the best things high school has to offer: Sports.

6. When you got in trouble, they went down with you.

We can all remember toilet-papering houses, calling 20 pizzas to someone's door, and sneaking out of the house much past curfew. The “crazy" nights filled with pranks and laughter were always the best until we somehow (and most always) got caught. Your high school friends never left your side when the punishments hit. From the triumphs to the failures of pranks, they were with you till the end.

7. They supported you when you wanted to change.

In high school, many make changes. From changing their look, to their interests, and more, high school is a time where many find themselves. High school friends recognize this, and support you every step of the way.

8. They were there for the milestone moments.

The many milestone moments: Getting your license, becoming legal, graduating from high school, and even getting into college. These are the memories you'll never forget. I can still recall running into my house after getting my Wake Forest congratulations letter, screaming all the way down my driveway. Who were the first people I called? Who else would it be other than my high school friends.

9. They know your past.

Your past is something you can never change. You can change and move on, but it'll always be there. There's something about knowing you have people that were there for your past, and love you regardless.

10. They can reminisce with you for hours.

One of my favorite things to do in the entire world is reminiscing. Looking back to the memory of my entire class spending the night on the football field, playing the best prank CCS high school has ever seen on our senior trip to Breckenridge, our annual Windy Gap retreats to the mountains, the movie-like Friday night football games, winning State Championships three years in a row, and more.

The best summer nights so far have been the ones where high school friends gather around, and simply look back. Looking back at the times you'll never forget, and always remember.

“Growing apart doesn't change the fact that for a long time we grew side-by-side; our roots will always be tangled."