Some people search their whole lives for someone they connect with, a best friend a soul mate. I however am lucky enough to have seven best friends. I have been friends with these girls since middle school, some even since elementary school. I could not picture my life with out them.
The eight of us make up “Team Keeps”, because that is what we consider ourselves, a team, a family, and the best support system anyone could ask for. Yes, we even have T- shirts and a motto, “We play for keeps, we party for keeps, we are the keeps”. Completely inseparable, we are together every possible day. What I love most about Keeps is how different everyone is yet completely the same. We come from all types of backgrounds, cultures, and religions like Catholic, Jewish, and Protestant. We have first generation Americans and some born on foreign soil. There are also many different personalities, some are outgoing, others laid back, but no matter how different we may seem, when we are together every thing gels and feels right. In some ways it feels like a super hero league, everyone has some thing to offer and bring to the table in a time of need. When you are dealing with a problem some can help you talk about your feelings other can help you come up with a sold solution, and some are so goofy they can help occupy your mind with a crazy story or joke.
Other people who hangout with “Keeps” cannot believe how much time we honestly do spend together and some even say it is like we have our own language. Because we spend many hours together we have many of the same tendencies, and an infinite amount of inside jokes, it is extremely hard to keep up with. Another ongoing complaint is that when we are all together in the same room and talking together we tend to scream over each other, the loudest person gets heard. This often gets confused with fighting but it is just the way we communicate.
“Keeps” means the world to me. Yes, we get in stupid, petty fights and point out one another’s flaws, but I know they will always be there for me and I would do anything for any one of them no matter what. As freshman year of college approached and we had to go are separate ways, some stayed close to home and others ventured far, but no matter how far we are from one another I knew “Keeps” would stay as strong as ever. I is such a comforting secure feeling to know that if I ever have a problem or I feel alone some one will be there for me any time of the day with a single phone call, I can feel right at home. And when we all united during our Thanksgiving break, it felt like we were never apart.
We have been so close for so long and have been through so much together, deaths, break ups, prom, graduation and so much more. They are my anchors in the storm, they push me past my limits and if I fail I know it will be ok, because they will be there for me. I never want to take their love for granted, because I know some people in this world feel alone, like they have no one to turn to. I feel so lucky and blessed to have the friends I do. I believe everyone should have a true friend. Life is hard and you should always have someone to lean on, some one to support you, but life is also fun and you should have people to share and celebrate life with you too!
As we go on with our college education and career choices that will follow. I know we will be there for each other along the way. We look forward to supporting one another in whatever we do. From engagements, weddings and births “Keeps” will be there every step of the way.