i’ve been thinking a lot lately about old friends.  now that i’m almost 30, i can actually think about the days “when i was growing up”.  funny that i haven’t really felt grown up until now.  and for me, my real life-long friendships didn’t really begin until my late teen – early twenties.  i was ususally the oldest in my group of friends too, and i think i’ve developed a “big-sister complex” if there is such a thing.  feeling responsible and wanting to take care of my friends.  maybe a little too much.
but anyway, my trip to lynchburg and orlando this past week is really what got me thinking.  i saw ryan and bekah and katie – three people who were definitely a big part of that time in my life – 1996-2002 or so.  and as i was being introduced to people – it’s kinda hard to explain.  “childhood friends” and “we grew up together” were two ways that it was said.  both do make sense, but it seems so hard to sum up in a few words.
i think growing up is hard.  i know we all have different struggles and everything.  and now that many of my friends are parents, it gives me a whole other perspective. but sometimes i wonder when we really grow up.  does it ever really end?  or is it when we start to have some real responsibility?  i’m not sure.