“Sometimes we’re born into families who don’t know how to love us properly. They can – but the rest is up to our friends. They can love you all the time without judgment.”
– Ryan O’Connell

I believe that friendships that begin in childhood – or those formed during our early teenage years – are often the ones that last. From playground adventures to whispered classroom secrets, those innocent days lay the foundation for a bond built on trust, laughter, and shared memories.

I think there’s something profoundly enduring about growing up alongside someone. Together, you learn life’s earliest lessons, laugh at your silliest mistakes, navigate your first heartbreaks, and offer comfort when the world starts to feel heavy. These friendships carry a deep sense of familiarity, something that no amount of time or distance can erase.

As the years go by, those same friends often become the ones we celebrate life’s milestones with. They start to feel like family. Birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays almost feel incomplete without them. Beyond those yearly gatherings, there are also personal milestones we’re always excited to witness – weddings, graduations, baby showers. The kind of moments where showing up matters, because it means everything.

There’s a bittersweet pride in seeing [my friends] grow.

I’m at the age now where I find myself congratulating friends on their promotions or their first days at new jobs. As adulthood begins to unfold in new and unexpected ways, it’s touching to watch childhood friends step into major life roles. There’s a bittersweet pride in seeing them grow, knowing who they were before the titles and responsibilities. In those moments, you’re reminded of how far you’ve all come and how much you’ve weathered together. Even as priorities shift and schedules grow tight, the effort to show up, to celebrate, to support it never fades.

Recently, I had the honor of standing beside one of my childhood friends as her maid of honor. She’s been my rock and confidant for as long as I can remember. Watching her glow with happiness on her wedding day gave me chills. As she walked down the aisle, it struck me: it’s no longer just about growing up together, it’s about growing through life together.

In the end, true friendship isn’t defined only by the struggles endured side by side, but also by the joy shared in life’s brightest moments. It’s a bond that strengthens not just in hardship, but in celebration – when we cheer each other on, mark our progress, and honor each chapter. As we reflect on what it means to have a friendship that endures, let us remember to treasure those who walk with us not only through storms, but through sunshine too. For it is in both that the depth and beauty of lasting friendship are truly revealed.