My connection with my friends is great, as I’ve known most of them since second grade. To the friends who I see every day at school, or those I only talk to once in a while, I’m extremely grateful for each one of them.

In middle school, I learned that friends are easy to make, but friendships are hard to keep. Back then, I never noticed how much my friends did for me or how much my friends meant. Now, going to school and seeing such amazing friends every day makes me happy and thankful as I know I still have ones who care about me and have been friends with for years.

My favorite memories with my friends are playing basketball for countless hours with them. Whether this is at school, at the park, or in a recreational league, I enjoy playing basketball the most with my friends. Since most of my friends also like going out, some of my favorite memories are going to the mall after school with them on a short day to eat and go bowling.

My friends have done a lot for me, like helping me with homework, projects, and spending time with me doing things I enjoy, which means a lot. Spending time with them makes school more fun, such as walking to class together and hanging around during lunch. Friends turn these fun stories into memories as time passes. Some things I have in common with my friends are liking the same musician, Drake, and the same type of music, which is R&B and hip-hop music. Some memories were after school; I would walk back with my friend to his house, and we would bake cookies and hang out with his dog. Sometimes we would walk over and swim at his house as well.

I’m thankful for my friends who listen to what I am saying without judging me, the ones who somehow understand what I’m trying to say, even when I can’t find the right words. I’m thankful for the ones who always push me to do my best and want me to succeed. Real friends are the ones who told me that I wasn’t alone. Friends remind me through simple words of encouragement, and other times just by being there, supporting me when something happens. Those small moments have taught me that true friendships are the friends who care about you the most.