My high school friends

We are a rare group. I thought it then, I think it now.

I recently went out to dinner with some girls I've known since high school. Wait, correction. One I met in sixth grade but the other three, I have known since FIRST grade. First grade...can you believe that? I think part of what amazes me about that is that my son is in first grade. I look at his friends and wonder if he'll even REMEMBER the friends he has now, much less be meeting them for mexican food and beers in 26 years. People just don't stay in the same neighborhoods anymore -- or the same school district.

Growing up, I always considered guys better friends than girls, especially in high school. While I was part of a large circle of girlfriends, I really only stuck on to two of them. Now that I am older, my friends are primarily women -- all of those women. These are women who have gone on to marry, have kids, or have life experiences similar to mine. We talk about everything that matters and even more about stuff that doesn't. Luckily, many of those women are a huge part of my history. They are my comfort zone, my safety net...they make me laugh and let me cry. Friends. Old friends.

Doesn't get much better than that.