[Sophia M.]

General Discussion Thread 10.09.2025​

Hey, GrayViners!

Some friendships start with a handshake. Others begin with a game of tag and a scraped knee. (That’s how mine did—first grade, recess, and a very competitive “you’re it.”)

It’s strange, isn’t it? The same people who once traded crayons or gave you a boost up the monkey bars can still be woven into your story decades later. Your oldest friend might’ve appeared in a classroom, a pew, an office cubicle—or simply claimed the empty seat beside you at just the right moment.

So, let’s hear it: how did your oldest friendship begin?

Image source: Unsplash

Was it instant laughter, a shared secret, or pure coincidence?

Tell us below—because who doesn’t love a good “how we met” story?

To the ones who stuck around after recess,
Sophia

 

[GranNanaPlus11]

My best friend and I met in high school in the tenth grade. We have been friends all these years, through sad times and good times. She is 80 and I am 79. I just visited her in North Carolina in May and what a time we had visiting our churches, our schools, our hangouts, and seeing some old friends. I live in Kentucky so we don't see each other much. We both lost our husbands, mine in 1997, and I remarried in 2006 and divorced in 2020. Here's a picture: friends forever.

 

[BarbF]

My best friend and I met in 4th grade! We were both new students on the first day of school, and knew no one!

We kind of clung to each other to get through our new school jitters!
We stayed friends all through elementary school, (back then, we had 2 schools…elementary (K-7th & 8th-12th), then she moved away, but we were still besties.
When I got to high school, nervous but excited, lo and behold, there she was! She hadn’t told me she moved back, she wanted to surprise me. And that she did!
That special friendship lasted 65 years!
When she was in the hospital 2 days before she passed, I went to her bedside. Her daughter and I were there, and she woke up. So weak, but smiling do big! Her daughter said she was going to get her some lunch, Jo and I sat and reminisced about our lives together. It was a beautiful time! She passed the next day.
I feel so blessed to have had her in my life! And one day, I’ll see her again.

 

[Gayle B.]

I met Nancy on the 1st day of Kindergarten Thank goodness for naps then. When our day was over she took my hand and told me she was taking me home to meet her mom and younger sister. Her dad wasn’t home from work yet. Her mom served us milk and cookies. I loved that afternoon! Although I entered the Air Force and she went off to college out of state we have remained great friends. Needless to say I got punished when I got back to my house. Ouch!

 

[NIBOR0]

I met my best friend my freshman year in college. We were polar opposites but our friendship lasted for over 30 years. She had some medical issues and passed away from a stroke when she was 56 years old. I miss her every day. I don't have anyone in my life right now that could possibly replace her. Fortunately, my Mom and I are very close and talk on the phone weekly or I don't know what I would do.

 

[Hazeleyes]

I met my best friend in grammar school. One day we sat next to each other at lunch and started talking. Next thing we were pals and after school went to each others house and played or rode our bicycles. Still friends now although we don’t see each other as she is a nurse and works the night shift we don’t see each keep in touch.

 

[CATBIRD]

When I was growing up, there was 5 of us that met and started hanging out and playing, we were about 6 years old and it was around 1963 . Each household was like our own. We got older and in high school some of us went to different schools. Marriage and life kept us busy and I really only kept up with one of them because we had gone to the same high school, worked together and husbands were friends. The others we kept up with. Then, about 15 years ago, we decided to meet at least once a month for lunch and to catch up. This year 2 from our close friendship passed away. Friends for 60+ years. I love them and they are family.

 

[Gayle B.]

When I was growing up, there was 5 of us that met and started hanging out and playing, we were about 6 years old and it was around 1963 . Each household was like our own. We got older and in high school some of us went to different schools. Marriage and life kept us busy and I really only kept up with one of them because we had gone to the same high school, worked together and husbands were friends. The others we kept up with. Then, about 15 years ago, we decided to meet at least once a month for lunch and to catch up. This year 2 from our close friendship passed away. Friends for 60+ years. I love them and they are family.

This is a nice story about friends. Your friends are still your friends years later. Congrats!

 

[Sophia M.]

My best friend and I met in high school in the tenth grade. We have been friends all these years, through sad times and good times. She is 80 and I am 79. I just visited her in North Carolina in May and what a time we had visiting our churches, our schools, our hangouts, and seeing some old friends. I live in Kentucky so we don't see each other much. We both lost our husbands, mine in 1997, and I remarried in 2006 and divorced in 2020. Here's a picture: friends forever.View attachment 68497

What a beautiful story of lifelong friendship! Visiting your old hangouts and reliving those memories together sounds so special — almost like stepping back in time. I love that you’ve stayed close through every chapter of life. That photo says it all: friends truly forever.

 

[Sophia M.]

My best friend and I met in 4th grade! We were both new students on the first day of school, and knew no one!

We kind of clung to each other to get through our new school jitters!
We stayed friends all through elementary school, (back then, we had 2 schools…elementary (K-7th & 8th-12th), then she moved away, but we were still besties.
When I got to high school, nervous but excited, lo and behold, there she was! She hadn’t told me she moved back, she wanted to surprise me. And that she did!
That special friendship lasted 65 years!
When she was in the hospital 2 days before she passed, I went to her bedside. Her daughter and I were there, and she woke up. So weak, but smiling do big! Her daughter said she was going to get her some lunch, Jo and I sat and reminisced about our lives together. It was a beautiful time! She passed the next day.
I feel so blessed to have had her in my life! And one day, I’ll see her again.

Oh, Barb, your story touched my heart. The surprise of seeing your childhood friend back in high school must’ve been such a joyful moment — and that final visit at her bedside… what a gift to have shared that time together. Friendships like that never really fade; they just live on in every memory and smile.

 

[Sophia M.]

I met Nancy on the 1st day of Kindergarten Thank goodness for naps then. When our day was over she took my hand and told me she was taking me home to meet her mom and younger sister. Her dad wasn’t home from work yet. Her mom served us milk and cookies. I loved that afternoon! Although I entered the Air Force and she went off to college out of state we have remained great friends. Needless to say I got punished when I got back to my house. Ouch!

I can just picture little you being led home for milk and cookies — that’s such a sweet, vivid memory! It’s amazing how those early bonds endure, even after life takes us in different directions. I’m smiling at the thought of that mischievous “first-day adventure,” even if it earned you a little scolding later!

 

[Sophia M.]

I met my best friend my freshman year in college. We were polar opposites but our friendship lasted for over 30 years. She had some medical issues and passed away from a stroke when she was 56 years old. I miss her every day. I don't have anyone in my life right now that could possibly replace her. Fortunately, my Mom and I are very close and talk on the phone weekly or I don't know what I would do.

Your story says so much about the quiet power of true friendship — even when people are complete opposites. Thirty years of memories is no small thing. I’m glad you still have that connection with your mom; that kind of steady love really helps when you miss someone dear.

 

[Sophia M.]

I met my best friend in grammar school. One day we sat next to each other at lunch and started talking. Next thing we were pals and after school went to each others house and played or rode our bicycles. Still friends now although we don’t see each other as she is a nurse and works the night shift we don’t see each keep in touch.

That sounds like such a classic childhood friendship — simple days of lunch breaks, bikes, and laughter. It’s lovely that you’ve stayed connected all these years, even with life’s busy schedules. A nurse’s night shift isn’t easy, but it’s heartwarming that you both still check in.

 

[Sophia M.]

When I was growing up, there was 5 of us that met and started hanging out and playing, we were about 6 years old and it was around 1963 . Each household was like our own. We got older and in high school some of us went to different schools. Marriage and life kept us busy and I really only kept up with one of them because we had gone to the same high school, worked together and husbands were friends. The others we kept up with. Then, about 15 years ago, we decided to meet at least once a month for lunch and to catch up. This year 2 from our close friendship passed away. Friends for 60+ years. I love them and they are family.

Wow — friends for over 60 years! That’s something truly rare and beautiful. Meeting as kids and staying close enough to gather for monthly lunches all these decades later says so much about your bond. I’m so sorry for your recent losses, but it’s clear that love and friendship continue to keep those memories alive.