Have you ever wondered about your first friend? The one who shared your early childhood memories, played with you during recess, or maybe helped you solve the simplest yet most confusing problems of those days. Where is that first friend now? Have they moved on to different cities, different lives, or maybe even different countries? As we grow older, friends come and go, but some friendships display extraordinary resilience. They remain close to us in our hearts or stay right beside us, even as miles stretch between us.
Growing up, most of us experience the bittersweet transition from the warmth and comfort of childhood friendships to the more complex dynamics of adult relationships. I have been relatively fortunate, having experienced very few friendship “failures” throughout my school life. Touchwood, I’m still connected with all my “school cuties.” We make it a point to meet every summer, despite attending different colleges and living in different cities. That connection, that comfort, is something I treasure deeply. No matter how far life takes us, the bond we share continues to transcend the barriers of distance.
When I entered college, I naively believed I might recreate that same tight-knit group I had in school. After all, friendships in school were so effortless, so pure. But I quickly realised that school friends are simply different. There’s a certain ease and peace that they provide—an unspoken understanding rooted in shared experiences—and no matter where life takes you, that feeling is irreplaceable.
College brought its own set of realities, but it hasn’t been all bad so far . I’ve met many people who genuinely care for me and my emotions. However, I also learned that not everyone will appreciate you. Some might criticise instead of support. But I guess that’s just how life works—some people uplift you, while others challenge you.
Some may claim to be there for you, only to leave when you least expect it. It’s a stark contrast to the unconditional support I had known. Yet, amidst these challenges, I discovered that some friendships are different. Even if friends get busy or we drift apart, they never make me feel inadequate or regretful.
Take, for instance, my best friend Yuvika. She’s pursuing B.Tech. in Patiala, and despite the miles between us, we talk almost every day. We keep each other updated on the latest happenings in our lives, often laughing over the silly messes we’ve created. It’s comforting to know someone so well that even distance can’t diminish the closeness. Knowing every detail, every little secret, it’s a connection no one can replace. No one can take your place, Yuvika.
Then there’s Suhani, my other closest friend. Funnily enough, Suhani and I live in the same city—Jaipur—but we hardly ever meet. You’d think that being in the same city would make it easier to see each other, but life, with all its chaos, often gets in the way. College, extracurriculars, and other responsibilities pull us in different directions, and ironically, we meet only during vacations. But despite this, Suhani remains an irreplaceable part of my life. She’s been my friend since the first grade, and I never imagined we’d be this close after all these years. Distance, whether physical or emotional, has never diluted the strength of our friendship.
Another friend I hold dear is Vrinda. She’s been with me since the third grade, not just as a friend but as someone who’s always supported me through thick and thin. From academics to the smallest of concerns, she’s always been there to guide and support me. I can never thank Vrinda enough for being my constant companion, and despite the passage of time and the shifts in our lives, her presence has been a comforting constant.
And then we have Riddhi, my saviour, my go-to person. She’s the one I turn to for advice—my personal therapist, if you will. The irony is, I haven’t seen her in two years. Life, as it often does, took us in different directions, but not a day goes by that I don’t miss her. Despite the years apart, she remains the person I lean on emotionally, the one who knows me better than most. Friendships like this—the kind that endure despite time and distance—are rare and invaluable.
There are also those friends you meet for just a short period, but they end up holding a huge space in your heart. For me, that’s Vaishali and Rashi. We met briefly before college, at another institution, and though our time together was fleeting, we connected instantly. Even though we’ve parted ways now, attending different colleges while pursuing the same course, I know you both always have my back. Despite the separation, I feel that our bond remains strong, and your presence in my life, however brief it may have been, has left a lasting mark.
From sharing tiffins in school to sharing inside jokes in college, from trading chocolates to splitting bills when we go out, we’ve grown up together. These little moments stitch together the fabric of our friendships, shaping them into something beautiful. They aren’t just memories; they’re reminders of how far we’ve come. We used to worry about finishing homework, and now we’re tackling life head-on. These moments, whether small or big, have formed the foundation of friendships that have grown with us.
Of course, not all friendships survive the trials of growing up. I remember a close friend from second grade, someone I eventually had a “friendship breakup” with due to some childish misunderstanding. It was one of those small, silly disputes that felt monumental at the time but laughable in hindsight. It’s funny how these little moments shape our memories, yet even that friendship, despite its end, holds a special place in my heart.
Despite the physical distance that has grown between me and my cherished friends, I want them to know that the space they’ve carved in my heart is one that no one else could ever fill. They’ll always be my favourite girls. The memories we’ve shared—the giggling over silly things, swapping lunches, the whispered conversations during lunch breaks—these are the core memories I hold close. Even today, the thought of those moments brings a smile to my face, a sense of warmth and belonging that can’t be replicated.
Reflecting on these friendships, I realise that staying connected isn’t about how often you meet or how physically close you are. It’s about the depth of your connection, the effort you put into maintaining that bond, and the shared understanding that some friendships are simply meant to last. Whether through daily phone calls or the occasional message that makes you feel like no time has passed, these connections endure. And while growing up may mean fewer spontaneous meetups or shared lunch breaks, it also makes you treasure those relationships even more.
In a world where everything is constantly changing, the friendships that transcend distance are a reminder that some things remain beautifully unaltered. So, to all my friends, near and far, thank you for being the constants in my life. Thank you for proving that distance is just a number when it comes to true friendship. Our connection is stronger than the miles between us, and that’s something I will always hold dear.
At the end of the day, distance doesn’t separate us; it reminds us just how precious these enduring friendships are. Whether they’ve stayed by my side or left behind valuable lessons, their memories still bring a smile to my face and warmth to my heart.
“School friends are the ones who know the roots of your heart. They were there when life was simple, and no matter where life takes you, those roots remain deeply intertwined”
For more thought-provoking articles, explore Her Campus at MUJ.