Friends

I can't be certain but I don't think that until you've lived away from home, you can really value your friends. When you're at home, you always have your parents to fall back on. But when you leave home, you start relying on your friends. They become your family. Since I left home ten years ago, I've made myriad friends. Sadly, I haven't made enough of an effort to keep in touch with them.

But over the past months, I've realized that life isn't the same without them, so I've started keeping in touch. And it really does make a difference. A huge difference. I can say one thing with hundred percent conviction - there is NOTHING like getting re-aquainted with an old friend, especially one who's known you since the days of school. Recently, I've met a lot of the friends I used to bond with when I was 15. Some are married, some are getting married, while some are still single. But whatever their status, with them I never have to explain myself beyond a certain point. They just know, and they accept. There's no judgment, no criticism. Because they really and truly care. When you're young, life is less complicated so the love between friends is more clear, less conditional. I guess that love sort of lingers on as you grow older, and when you meet after ten years, everything just falls into place.

So for all those who've lost touch with old friends, get back in touch. Its worth it.