Remember, in high school, when you met that one girl (or guy) with whom you just clicked? You both liked the same music, the same burrito bowl at Chipotle, the same smoothie at Jamba Juice, and therefore you were soulmates — attached at the hip. You wove together friendship bracelets and swear you’d never ever take yours off.

And then, when junior year hits, you get drunk together when you’re not supposed to. You hate each other’s boyfriends — you each deserve so much better. You sneak into clubs together. You share everything — clothes, boys, secrets. You fight and make up and fight and swear you’ll never be friends again and make up again and slowly learn the power of forgiveness.

Senior year of high school is bitter sweet. You know you’re graduating and you’re not going to the same college. Maybe this is when you’re going to grow apart. Or maybe, just maybe, your friendship can withstand the distance. Maybe, it’ll make your bond even stronger.

In college, you talk about the big stuff. You confide dreams, goals, hopes, the future. You’re confused about your future but you think that as long as you still have each other, everything will be okay. Relationships get more serious. You start talking about growing up, having a family, diving into a career. You still drink too much and refuse to take your sunglasses off at breakfast the next morning. You make mistakes. You forgive each other and yourself. She teaches you to stand up for yourself. You teach her to be patient. You learn from each other.

Graduation approaches and the future is uncertain. One of you moves to San Francisco — to follow her dreams. One of you stays in Colorado, gets married, gives birth to a beautiful little girl — follows her dreams. The dreams may be different and may lead to different paths, but against all odds, your friendship stays strong — stronger than ever.

I have one of those best friends. One of those friends that knows you better than you know yourself. That you can speak to without saying a single word. That gets you and your dreams and your fears and everything. I have one of those friends where we can just be together. We can talk forever and never get it all out. We can be silent together. No matter the distance or the time that passes between phone calls, we can pick back up right where we left off, as if no amount of time has passed. We have history. We have a past and a true understanding of each other that’s irreplaceable.

This past weekend, my best friend left her husband and daughter in Colorado and came to visit me in San Francisco. We had the best time. She is my forever friend. And I’m so lucky to have her.