We’ve been friends for such a long time that I can clearly recall when you experienced your first period, and you remember the day I started wearing a bra. We still have each other’s childhood phone numbers memorized, know the streets we grew up on, and understand why returning home can be so complex. Even after more than a decade of marriage, we still instinctively call each other by our maiden names.
We can effortlessly quote our favorite lines from classic movies like Dirty Dancing and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. We know each other’s favorite characters from iconic shows like 90210, Melrose Place, and The Golden Girls. We remember the names of our first boyfriends and the song that played during that middle school dance when we cried in the bathroom, frustrated by the mean girls.
Our friendship has been so long-lasting that we’ve witnessed each other at our most vulnerable—whether it was after a few too many cosmos, during morning sickness, or while undergoing chemotherapy. We’ve comforted each other through heartbreak, during the emotional moments of reciting wedding vows, and in the dark times following a parent’s death. We know what words to offer in tough moments, even if that means simply sitting in silence together. We recognize when a situation calls for a hug, a joke, or a flurry of expletives.
Countless secrets bind us, from the embarrassing nicknames we wish to forget to the hidden tattoos no one else knows about. I still remember your seventh-grade mullet-perm, and you know that my biggest dating regret is the guy I dated during senior year. We both agree that 1996 was an era of fashion blunders too numerous to count.
We’ve been friends for so long that we don’t just know where we met our spouses; we were there to witness it all. We cheered each other on during engagements and stood by each other on our wedding days. I knew about your pregnancy before you took that test, and you understand my lingering sadness about not having a baby girl. We both remember the number of children we envisioned having back when parenting was merely a concept, and we understand why those plans changed.
We know each other’s voting history from the last few elections and can predict our choices in the upcoming ones, even before discussing it. We’re aware of each other’s deal-breakers when it comes to social issues and why they matter. We can recall where we celebrated our bat mitzvahs or confirmations and whether the other believes in God.
Our long friendship hasn’t been without its bumps. We’ve hurt each other at times, allowing anger to put distance between us until we forget what we were upset about. Yet we have always managed to apologize and forgive easily, knowing the truth of each other’s hearts.
We are aware of each other’s biggest regrets and wildest aspirations. I know Justin Timberlake is your forever crush, while Leonardo DiCaprio holds that title for me. We both feel emotional when we hear a particular Dave Matthews song, remember where we were during the 9/11 attacks, and acknowledge why margaritas are off the table for us now.
After all this time, wearing real pants—or any pants at all—isn’t a must when we visit. We’ve seen each other in our most raw forms, both literally and metaphorically, and have shared everything from bras to makeup. It’s hard to remember a time when we weren’t friends, and even harder to imagine a future without each other.
Can you believe how long we’ve been friends? Reflecting on our years together and all the experiences we’ve shared makes me feel… well… old. But we aren’t old; rather, our friendship is seasoned. Like a fine scotch or a premium bottle of wine, it has gained richness and depth that only time can enhance.
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In summary, our long-standing friendship is a tapestry of shared experiences, laughter, and tears that has enriched our lives in ways words cannot fully express.