This week I caught up with college friends, some of whom I hadn’t met for over 20 years. As one of them messaged me, it was such a wonderful feel-good evening. Catching up on not just what each one was doing, but laughing at the fact that we met as kids, and now we were discussing what our kids were doing!  And as we recounted the years in between, I realised that college days were simple, carefree, and filled with experiences.

That first cup of tea with someone, or that cup of tea that never happened and we still remember that. Making and meeting friends, some who are part of our life and others we’ve lost touch with, but reconnect in an instant when we meet. Working on activities through all the fun, fights, late nights, tears, and laughter. Idealistic debates and managing in a tight budget.

College was the chrysalis that held us for five years, shaping and strengthening us as we developed our wings. We flew in different directions, had different achievements, went through our personal struggles, sometimes known to others and sometimes silently, and yet, when we met that evening, it was never about sizing up each other. It was pure love and laughter.

We realise how much we enjoy catching up and yet how easily we allow years to slip by without making an effort. WhatsApp groups can never substitute the feeling we all felt that one evening together.

College days were special, not only because we had lots of fun and discovered newfound freedom; we found one of the most precious things – friends for life!

(Picture – My Alma Mater – St. Xavier’s College)