I'm 23 years old now, and one thing I've always wanted is a tight-knit group of friends that loves to do everything together. I know it may be unrealistic, but I'd like to think I'm a Chandler/Monica hybrid that's looking for her Rachel, Ross, Phoebe and Joey. 

The trouble is, friendship is hard work and people tend to not want to spend their whole lives in one place- especially when that place is a pretty small city with a lot of retirement homes, a steel factory, and a bad reputation with the neighbouring towns. 

But now I'm sitting here watching The Sisterhood Of The Traveling Pants, crying every five minutes because I wish life and friendship was like it is in the movies. I wish you could find these people that make you a complete version of yourself and keep them in your life forever like a coin collection. Unfortunately, I've realized that as stages in your life end, people tend to go their separate ways.

For example, here's how many friends have 'transferred over' (for lack of a better term):

Childhood > Elementary School: Only 1 really 
Elementary School > High School: Again, Only 1
High School > College: This is a little better, coming in around a 6
College > Twenties: About 5

But getting older, the bright side of the universe's ridiculous friend-filtration-system is that you unwillingly realize who's going to stick around for the long-haul. You realize that the people who matter most, won't let distance or a few different interests keep you apart. I may not have a magical pair of pants to help keep my friends together, but I know it'll work out anyway. 

PS. I'm totally a Tibby. 

Chelsea Totten
Talk Pretty To Me