For how many years have you known your closest friends?

United States
June 25, 2009 1:35pm CST
Some friendships are temporary, even though we may vow in school that it will last a lifetime. And then there truly are those dear friends we've had for many years. My closest friends to this day are two women I went to school with. Our friendships now are decades old!How many years have you known your closest friends and where did you meet them?
11 people like this
66 responses
@threnos (216)
• Canada
25 Jun 09
Well since my best friends are God and Jesus my whole life, or as soon as I learned about them. Next to them are my sister and mom. I've known them for my whole life as well.
• United States
25 Jun 09
I love that you chose God and Jesus as your closest friends. To me, they are truly the only 100% truly dependable and trustworthy friends out there. And yes, certain family members for me, too, run a great and close second. Thank you for your take on this. Karen
1 person likes this
@hellcowboy (7374)
• United States
25 Jun 09
This is a really good discussion and I know that friends are really important when it comes to everyday life because they can help you laugh and have fun,and they can also help you learn important lessons,that help you grow as a person,and they can also help you make mistakes,I also know that there are different rankings when it comes to friends,there are friends who are just people you talk to,maybe hangout with sometimes but you are not really close to,and then there are good friends,which are the friends that you are closer to,you hangout with them more,but you do not hangout out with them all the time,and then there are best friends,the ones who would do anything for you,and that you are always hanging out with,and they are usually referred to as true friends,true friends are the ones who are sitting in jail with you saying dang that was fun,while good friends would be there to probably bail you out,and I am sure everyone has friends in these different rankings,me and my fiance have good friends who we hangout with from time to time but we do not talk to them that much,and they are almost back to the regular friend stage if even our friends at all and we have known them for a couple years,and then I am two best friends my fiance is one of them,and I love her with all my heart and soul,she is always here for me,she always knows how to make me smile,and make me laugh,she is my soul mate,my lover,and my life and we have been together two years,and then my other best friend is a guy I met in school and when we found out we have the same birthday we just kind of became best friends and he would do anything for me,and I would do anything for him and I have known him for five years,me and my fiance are always together,and we hang out with my other best friend as much as we possibly can,and he either calls us,or we call him,I am blessed to have both of them,and I do not know where I would be without them,have a great day,good luck with your life,and all of your mylotting goals,and Happy Posting.
1 person likes this
• United States
25 Jun 09
I agree I am blessed to have my fiance and my best buddy by my side,and I agree friends of all levels help us celebrate joy,they help us when we are in trouble,and they cry with us when we are sad,and I will enjoy them everyday for the rest of my life,and every night I will thank God for allowing them to be in my life,have a great day,good luck with your life,and all of your mylotting goals,and Happy Posting.
1 person likes this
• United States
26 Jun 09
THank you, Cowboy. I keep a blessings journal of gratitude and my friends are always listed, and yes, I pray for them too. Have a beautiful "rest of the week." Karen
2 people like this
• United States
25 Jun 09
Hello Cowboy, how blessed you are to have two such friends as your fiance and your best buddy. Friends of all levels celebrate with us in times of joy, help us times of trouble, and cry with us in times of sorrow. Enjoy them to the max :) Karen
2 people like this
@OConnell87 (1042)
25 Jun 09
i moved to a new town in 1997 and made a new set of friends in the primary school we all ended up going to the same high school and during our last year our teachers told us to make the most of the time we had together because even though you say you will always stay in contact you wont........however its now 2009 and we are all still very close, see each other every week and are evening planning on going on holiday together this year. we've all agreed its about making the event to ring or email each other often to stay in touch and it works, and consequently we have 100's of photos of us all over the years which i think will be brilliant when loving back in our old age
1 person likes this
• United States
25 Jun 09
My two closest friends were also met in school many years ago. While some school friends do lose touch, like you and your special friends, these two and I have been in contact and close through all the years. Such a joy and a comfort! Karen
1 person likes this
• United States
26 Jun 09
Hello :) I do believe that we can have permanent friends, as some of mine I've had for decades now, through thick and thin. There have been times where we saw less of each other due to busier lives, but always, there has been some kind of regular and wonderful connection. I appreciate your feedback. Karen
• Philippines
26 Jun 09
Over the years, I have made friends but not many. Perhaps, because, I have learned that I don't have a closest or a best friend. I have some close friends, one that I could confide with, but they are not permanent. Just like most people, we are separated because of our married lives and busy schedules. But do you believe in the saying, "There are no permanent friends, only permanent interests?"
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
3 Jul 09
My fiance is my closest friend. I stopped being friends with people from high school when I met my fiance because we drifted apart and well I don't think approved of my fiance. I changed a lot from the fake person I was to who I wanted to be, and maybe that's what changed their minds. I stood up for myself, and well let's not get into that. My fiance is my best friend, my soul mate, my everything and we have one close friend that he met in school, and that may actually be related to me. Lol. Great topic.
1 person likes this
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
5 Jul 09
I am happy to have found out that they weren't really true friends when I did. I don't want to say they are bad people though. I am glad to have met my fiance, he changed me a lot from who I was (fake) to who I was before I met those friends and got to be like them. Lol. Well I appreciate your comment back.
1 person likes this
• United States
3 Jul 09
Hi Some. Yes, this has been a very fun topic, to hear the beautiful stories of people and their friendships. I think it is the best of all worlds when your partner is also your best friend in life. I am glad you found that being your true self is the way to go! :) Karen
1 person likes this
• United States
10 Jul 09
The important thing is that you and your fiance are happy! It is hard to remain friends with people who do not like your partner.
• India
27 Jul 09
Hello my friend PeacefulWmn9 Ji, In fact so far I have not come across real friend, but for record sake and to continue my response, afetr I joined service, he was our guide and remained true in our relations, last time he visited me some 5 yrs back, after a gap of 41 yrs then. Even we may not call each other for many yrs, but, I know he will always respond me. He lives in Canada now since more than 40 yrs now. May god bless You and have a great time.
1 person likes this
• India
27 Jul 09
Hello my friend PeacefulWmn9 Ji, So nice of you for your encouraging and supporting views. May God bless you and have a good time.
1 person likes this
• United States
27 Jul 09
Hello and may God bless you :) This person does sound like a friend, really. Some people we can talk with after many years, and still be comfortable in that conversation, just as you are with this person. Thank you for your response. Karen
1 person likes this
• United States
2 Jul 09
Hi Karen...my bestest friend that I have I have known since 1993. She and her boyfriend moved into a house right down the road from where I live and when we met it was like we had known one another forever. She was a traveler and her boyfriend was like my husband a stick in the md and not one that likes to leave home to search for adventure. She took me to a travel club dinner from a club that she belonged to and let me tell you a whole new world was opened up to me. I went to places and saw things I never in a million years thought I would ever see, but alas all good things have to come to an end. We had just gotten back from a trip to Las Vegas in March of 2005 and 13 days later my husband had his massive heart attack that left him with no option but a transplant. That had to have been the scariest year abd happiest one in my life. Now my friend has moved on to further her adventures by meeting a nice person on the internet and moving in with him. Yes ladies I was optimistic but I guess there are those certain ones that do work out becasue she is starting her second year there now and they are just as happy as they were on day one. She was in the right place at the right time and that is what it takes with making a best friend. flutterby
• United States
3 Jul 09
Hello Flutterby...what a beautiful way to begin and to conduct a friendship. I am sorry your travels have ended for now, and also sorry of your husband's health troubles. But one never knows what the future might hold. I am happy for the adventures you had and for your friend finding a love on the internet :) Karen
1 person likes this
• United States
10 Jul 09
I am happy to hear this! Modern inventions have made it possible to continue our valued friendships, even from a great distance :)
• United States
5 Jul 09
Thanks Karen, I believe you can only find that one special friend in a life time. when you do you make the most of it becasue you never know when a circumstance of life will separate you and then you still have that friend, they just aren't as close to you as they use too be and you can't just run down the road a little ways to have a cup of coffee with her. We were as close as sisters and still are. Just at a greater distance. flutterby
1 person likes this
• Philippines
26 Jun 09
I have two friends now that I met August of 2007 , we are going three years this coming August, but I felt I had known them for so long now. I felt a genuine friendship with them , I am blessed to have them. We met in one yahoo groups and we met personally to watch UAAP Basketball and the rest is now history.
• United States
26 Jun 09
I think it's great when we can get to know and like our online friends and then meet up in person! Yes, it is like we've known them forever. These sound like good solid friendships you've made. I hope you have that for a long time to come. Karen
@sunshine4 (8703)
• United States
25 Jun 09
I met my closest friend when I was in 3rd grade. We have been friends ever since. The sad part is that we don't see each other much anymore because of our families and busy schedules. We do keep in touch by phone and email. We have been best friends now for 36 yrs!!
1 person likes this
• United States
25 Jun 09
Ah, thirty-six years is a long time. It is the same for a couple of my friends and me. We may not see each other in person much, but like you, we keep in touch other ways. It is one of the good things about modern technology :) Karen
1 person likes this
@vicki2876 (5636)
• Canada
25 Jun 09
I have known my best friend since the day I was born however we were not "friends" until I was about 15 years old. I am referring to my sister. She is 2 and a half years older than I. When we were kids we did play together basically because there wasn't anyone else to play with. But she really really hated me. Then she moved out to live with our father when she was 12 and I didn't even see her for long long periods of time. But by the time I was 15 we started to hang around each other and became best friends. We now live very far away from each other but talk every day and are best friends.
1 person likes this
• United States
25 Jun 09
Hello Vicki...I have a sister like that, one who was and is a very dear friend as well as a relative. Those kinds of bonds are special, some develop from the start, and others grow later, but they are unbreakable. I am happy for you and your sister both! Karen
1 person likes this
@vicky30 (4766)
• India
18 Jul 09
I have known my closest friend for ten years.He was a boy and we both studied in junior college.Then we both joined degree college with the same course.We had some fights and fun in the middle.But everything went on well in the end.Now also he keeps in touch with me regarding about my job.He also gives me new sites to update my knowledge.I have other friends who i have known for seven years but not so close as my first friend.
• United States
27 Jul 09
Hi there :) What a beautiful relationship you and this friend have maintained. Such are one of the biggest blessings in life! Karen
@sjvenden27 (1840)
• United States
25 Jun 09
I have known my closest friend since 2002... At the time she was my landlord... We started talking about stuff together... and before you knew it we were talking every day on the phone for at least an hour or so.. Even to just blow off steam about our husbands..lol We do not talk as much right now because of the fact its the summer time and there is so much that is going on each of our lives.. but we find time to chit chat about once a week for a couple of hours..
1 person likes this
• United States
25 Jun 09
It is interesting where and how we meet those who become our close friends. However that happens, it is always a great addition to our lives. I am happy that you and this wonderful friend still find time to chat each week. :) Karen
1 person likes this
• China
3 Jul 09
Hi Karen,haven't seen you for a long time.I am enjoy my summer vacation!with my best friends! So I notice the question. WE have a long friendship history since we were a kid,and now it has last for about 11 years!we have been classmates for 10 years,Fantastic! Compared to others,maybe it's not quite a long time,but considerated we are less than 20 year-old now,I think the time is very long for us,And we believed that it will last forever,even we are living in the different cities,have the different life style,our heart alway closed to each other.
1 person likes this
• United States
3 Jul 09
Hello Windflower. I am happy that you are enjoying your summer vacation with your friends. Even though you are young, those are indeed longtime friendships. For most of us, the closest friends seem to be those we have met while in school. Karen
• United States
25 Jun 09
It is funny I have made many friends over my life but due to moving around so much not many of them I have been able to maintain in contact although the ones I make I know that even though we do not talk should I need something or if I was back in town I would be welcomed to visit just like I had never left the area
1 person likes this
• United States
25 Jun 09
I think that is one of the best ways to tell a good friendship, that ability to go long stretches without contact, but to pick up as though there had been no absence when you do see each other. A true blessing to have those kind of people in our lives :) Karen
1 person likes this
• India
25 Jun 09
My best friend was born with me.We stepped in this world together to learn,enjoy,love,live together and grow as strong individuals. You might be wondering who m i speaking about? Its my twin brother!! He is my soul mate , my best friend . Till today there is no other human being i have come across who can understand me better and faster. He is one friend whom god has given and god knew i need this friend of mine in every phase of my life. I have other friends too who , at some point of time were my friends who were very close to me but with time either our friendship faded away or we hardly had time to be for each other.But its not the same with me and my brother together . Both of us make time for each other in the most tuffest situations and conditions we are in. I thank God for this friend of mine life becomes simple,loved and fun.
1 person likes this
• United States
25 Jun 09
What a wonderful story. There are two sets of twins among my own siblings and one pair, like you and your brother, are very close, very like friends and not just siblings. Kudos to you and your twin brother for having such a strong and mutually supportive bond! Karen
1 person likes this
@esteria (396)
• India
25 Jun 09
i think the oldest would be my school friends only. i have know one from the day we started going school we have been together. many of friends just went out of contact and then when there is some special occasion we come together and meet again. Always you find new people that make your current friends and they spend more time with you so i think it is better to live life as it comes. i still miss my school friends though because every time i hear school i just remember my friends there and all the fun we had together.
• United States
25 Jun 09
I remember when many of us signed our friends yearbooks and they signed ours with "friends forever" and at the time, we feel it will be just that way. But yes, life and people change and go their various ways, so it is best to take life and enjoy it as it comes :) Karen
1 person likes this
@dpk262006 (58675)
• Delhi, India
26 Jun 09
Hi Dear! One of my closest friend is from my school days. He lives in the same area, as we. We keep interacting with each other and sometimes go out for family outings together. We keep remembering our old school days and keep telling each other's partners about our pranks and stupid things, we would do in our school. I think if is not an easy task to continue friendship with old friends, it takes two to tango. I always cherish my old friendships.
@dpk262006 (58675)
• Delhi, India
29 Jun 09
Hi Karen! Yes, it is true that when we get nostalgic with our old friends, we enjoy those past moments and make us feel happy. You are right that knowing each other's familis also help in understanding each other better. Thanks for your wishes!
• United States
26 Jun 09
Hello Dpk :) I agree, it takes two to keep the friendship alive, and with our very best of friends, that is easy to do. It is good when we know one anothers families and share the good times we've had through the years, trading the old stories, and "telling" on each other :) May yours last your whole life! Karen
• United States
29 Jun 09
You're welcome, and I appreciate the wisdom you add to discussions. Karen
@aerous (13434)
• Philippines
27 Jun 09
Our relationship with my friends is now 10 years. He is my friend ever since we are college. We exchange our views about our subjects. Even when we take exam review. we enroll in one review center. Even when we take Engineering board exam. We always together to go in a exam venue until today, even we are apart each other we texted and asking how's life. We don't hide anything with my friends. We don't hide anything with my friend. We have a great friendship...
@aerous (13434)
• Philippines
27 Jun 09
How about your experience with your friend. Did you hide something with your friends, for some reasons? Are you a good friends too? If that so will you be friends here?
• United States
27 Jun 09
No, my friends know me pretty much inside out. And one of the friends that I am closest too is online, too. But we also see each other off line.
• United States
27 Jun 09
I think that is great that you've been friends and a study partner with this same wonderful friend through the years. And it is always a blessing to have someone with whom to exchange views and share ideas :) Karen
@gxyywhyzy (450)
• China
26 Jun 09
these days I was always considering this happened to me.I have two friends,also are schoolmates.they live in another city that very far from me.we keep conect with eath other by phone and chating on the internet.some times we all dated to meet together at the appointed city.passed a few years we have been keeping the friendship well.
• China
27 Jun 09
there must be something around me:friends.
• United States
27 Jun 09
Yes, it is always good to have friends around us :)
• United States
26 Jun 09
Isn't the internet wonderful for keeping in touch with friends when you live in different places? I like that you sometimes get together and connect in person too. These close friendships add so much good to our lives. Thank you for responding to the discussion :) Karen
• United States
25 Jun 09
I have one bestest friend!! And she is a friend I would walk in front of a bullet for. I have known here forever it seems. We live now almost a thousand miles away from each other, but I have this sense in me and know someway things about her. I know when she is going thru things even when she doesn't tell me they are happening. I will send her silly cards in the mail or gifts just to make her feel good to her work. And she will call me and be crying and say how did you know? I will tell her I just knew. I send her money in the mail or western union, not alot, and then email her and tell her its there. She will ask why did I do that? I tell her because she helped me when I lived in Florida and I know she needed it now. There have been times when she has said that sh wished I was a guy because she would want all the quality's I have in a man to marry some day! lol I tell her yea that would be great because we are so perfect together. I cry when I think about our friendship and how great we are to each other. I wish everyone had a friend that great!
• United States
25 Jun 09
Friendships like you've described here are such a rare blessing. They truly "get us through life." I am so glad you've found this, and I know your friend is, too. And yes, with time and knowledge, we really do sense when a friend is in need, without even exchanging a word! Karen
• United States
26 Jun 09
THat is so wonderful :) Many of us are very blessed indeed.
• United States
25 Jun 09
Yea she is the greatest person to know. She would do anything for anyone.
@unwanted (76)
• Philippines
26 Jun 09
I met my best friend when we where second year high school. We were seat mates back then so we became close. We talked a lot about everything and we always have funny moments. We are friends for seven years now and hope it will last forever.:)
• United States
26 Jun 09
This is when I met one of my closest friends, too. She was new in town and we sat beside each other in a high school class and became good buddies. Now, 30 years later, we are still good friends. If you've been close to yours for seven, it is likely to be a forever kind of friendship :) Karen
• United States
10 Jul 09
I hope so, too, and I imagine it will be :))
• Philippines
30 Jun 09
Wow. 30 years. Thanks for your words. I really appreciate it. Hope our friendship really is forever.:)