I went to a very large high school in Colorado. There were about 4,000 students total and just shy of 1,000 in my graduating class. Needless to say, I certainly didn’t know everyone. Post high school, I chose to go to the University of Colorado in Boulder. This was a popular college choice for many of my high school classmates, but not many of my high school friends. Early in the summer before Freshman year, I received my roommate assignment. Of course, it was someone from my high school. Initially, I was very disappointed as I was hoping to be paired with someone who was out of state and completely out of my social circle. However, I had never met this girl who was going to be my roommate for my first year of college.

Boy am I glad I didn’t request for a roommate change.

We became fast friends and virtually inseparable through our entire college experience. In the dorms, we spent a lot of time with our neighbors — two other girls: one from Colorado and the other from Maryland. There were a few other girls that joined our “group” from down the hall. All of a sudden, I had a strong group of girlfriends. We’d do everything together — study together, eat together, party together. We’d stay up late talking in the dorms about boys and school and family and our past.

We all moved to different areas in Boulder after Freshman year, but we stayed extremely close. Wine nights, theme parties, girls dinners. We talked about everything. There were no secrets left untold. And man, did we have some experiences together. These girls, my college girls, are some of the very best friends I’ve ever had.

After graduation, we all scattered across the United States — San Francisco, Houston, New York, Maryland, Colorado, Chicago. We all haven’t been in the same place since graduation. We’ve had individual dinners or coffees or drinks between now and then, but nothing for any sort of extended time. Just for a quick “How’s your life? What have you been up to? Who are you dating? Are you happy?” catch up session. We’d started an email chain with all of us on it so everyone could keep in touch and only have to update the group once.

A couple months ago, one of the girls threw out the idea to actually have a “reunion” where we could all travel to one spot and stay for the weekend. Of course, we all jumped at the idea and couldn’t wait to see each other again.

Two weeks ago, four of us (unfortunately not everyone) met in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida for a weekend of sunshine, good wine, food and friends.

It was the best weekend I’ve had in a while.

Good, real friends are hard to find. I know that’s cliche to say, but it’s true. Nothing compares to the history that we all share. The experiences we’ve all been through together. The ups and the downs. The times we were there for each other. The times we laughed and the times we cried. The mistakes we made. And the complete lack of judgement that exists among these friends is irreplaceable.

We didn’t quite get the sunshine we wanted, but we did get some incredible time together. Drinking wine, talking about life until the wee hours of the morning. Playing Cards Against Humanity and laughing until we cried. Adventuring to Miami in the freezing cold. Watching movies. Catching a “quick” lunch on the boardwalk that turned into a two and a half hour excursion. Shopping. Eating. Snuggling and talking before bed. Doing each other’s hair and makeup. Setting up dating profiles :). Being together.

We reconnected. And it felt so good.

I am sincerely blessed to have such incredible people in my life. People who I can trust with anything. Who I know will never judge me. Who will support and applaud my accomplishments. And be there to pick me up when I fail. There are few people in this world that make my heart feel whole, and these girls are some of them.