At first glance when seeing these two pictures, you’re probably thinking “What’s the difference? They’re both pictures of Gary and his friends.” You’re definitely not wrong about that observation. That’s me on the very right taking my high school graduation photos. The people next to me were the ones who I survived high school with. Throughout those years, we all learned from one another, supported each other during our ups and downs, and importantly stuck together as a wolf pack.
Fast forward to a few years and you see us at the beach. I’ve grown a lot more as an individual and learned so much more to further myself because of them (and I hope I helped them grow as well). Comparing both pictures, you can see most of the main group of friends from the first picture are in the second with the addition of new faces. From college, I learned to meet new people and become more of a social butterfly. I was able to learn new experiences with the new people I met and see my old friends pick up new hobbies because of them as well. Ever since college started, I've only seen the “wolf pack” grow larger every year.
While most of these pictures are from holidays or special events, we’re always going out of the way to see each other every week whether it’s to see a movie, play board games till 2am, or even to go study for different classes. Wherever one of us goes, the rest follows. I’m happy to call these people my family.
Hi Gary!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading about your experience and transition from high school to college. It's amazing how much everyone grows and changes, and having the ability to grow into a social butterfly allows you to make those wonderful connections that will follow you for the rest of your life. Thanks for sharing your growth and I look forward to reading more of your work!
Brian Ahlers
I have heard people say they have enough friends and don't want to make more, and that makes me so sad. Opening ourselves to new people helps keep us growing.
ReplyDeleteGreat post. I really like the story.
Erin
Hi Gary! I am glad to see that you have had a strong with a group of friends that lasts even through college. I know it is tough sometimes to keep those connections coming out of high school know ing that people end having different interest and have different things they want to pursue. True friends will stick with you through the "thick and thin" till the very end.
ReplyDeleteMitchell