Friendships Come in Eras Too.

You think you know who your best friends are.

Like, seriously—I thought I had it all figured out. I knew my group. I knew who I’d be in each other’s weddings, who I’d call crying in the middle of the night, who would be my ride-or-dies forever.

And then… life happened.

People grow apart. People stop texting. You move. They change. You change. And suddenly, the people you thought would be by your side forever are just… not.

But here’s the thing I’ve learned: you meet people in every chapter of your life.

And every single friendship teaches you something—even the ones that don’t last.

I’ve got my girls that I’ve known since childhood, who still get me in a way no one else can. We were Fearless together—making up dance routines to “You Belong With Me” and thinking friendship bracelets were sacred promises. (Honestly, they kind of were.) 

Then came college, and with it, a whole new set of friendships I never saw coming. Some people felt like home the moment I met them—friends who instantly got me, who made the transition feel a little less terrifying. They were The Archer to my scattered thoughts—quietly understanding, always listening, reminding me it was okay to feel a little lost sometimes. Others came later, in unexpected moments: girls who knew exactly when I needed a night out and when I just wanted to lie on the floor and spiral about life. And somewhere along the way, we all just… found each other. The friends I met in different seasons somehow became one big, solid group—showing up for everything from the breakdowns to the job offers, the breakups to the “I think I actually like him again” texts.

They were the people who saw it all—and stayed anyway. The kind of friends I just know will be in my bridal party someday. The ones who never made me feel like too much, who stood steady when everything else felt like it was falling apart. The “I had the time of my life fighting dragons with you” kind of friends.

And now? I live in a new place. Alone. With a dog who’s basically the most emotionally available man I’ve ever known. But even in this new chapter, I’ve met new people who have already made a huge difference in my life. Friends who feel like they’ve been in my story from the start, even if we’re just starting to write our own chapters together.

Making friends in your 20s is weird. There’s no homeroom, dining hall, party or sorority to bring you all together. You have to try. You have to show up even when you’re tired, say yes when it’s easier to say no, answer a call or FaceTime when you’d rather rot in bed, and open up even when it feels safer to stay guarded. You make friends through small things—grabbing dinner after work, bonding over shared pet peeves, sending a “did you get home okay?” text after a night out. And slowly, those little things turn into big things. People go from being acquaintances to the ones you text when you’re spiraling and need to dissect every lyric to atw.

It’s like Invisible String—you don’t always see how everything’s connected, but looking back, you realize it all leads to this exact moment.

You can’t force friendships. Some people just won’t stay, and that’s okay. The real ones show up, even when things get messy. They text back. They check in. You never have to wonder where you stand.

So if you’re in your “who’s really my friend?” era—same. But trust me, the right ones will stick.

And when you do find them? Hold on tight, because they’re the ones who will make you feel like everything is exactly how it’s supposed to be.

And you know who’s always felt like one of my best friends from the very beginning? Taylor Swift.

I know she doesn’t know me (not to sound insane), but sometimes when I’m listening to her music, it feels like she does. Like we’re talking, and she wrote it just for me.

Friendships come in eras.

But the real ones?

They’re timeless.

And obviously, one of those amazing best friends is Soph—founder, CEO, and all-around superstar behind SoSo Socials. I’m so proud of you and this huge milestone. You’ve been my mirrorball, always finding a way to shine even when things feel a little heavy. Can’t wait to keep cheering you on.