I met up with an old friend today. We got pizza and talked about jobs, girls, the cities we lived in, and the future of the world.

It was delightful for two reasons.

One, because he’s an awesome guy and I enjoy his company.

Two, because there was something about how long we’ve known each other that made the interaction extra special.

Knowing each other for over a decade means that we’ve seen each other grow through many different phases of life. We have a wonderful fundamental understanding of each other’s personalities.

It made me think about the value of “old friendships.”

I don’t think something is inherently valuable for being old but there’s no denying the bond that comes with age. If old friendships are useful and enjoyable, they’re worth investing in even if it’s difficult (due to geographic differences, etc).

It also helps that old friendships are a good long-term investment. This person (or people) has already proven to be someone you’re friends with for years so you can reasonably expect the same to be true in the future.

I imagine being 30 and still hanging out with the best of my old friends and the thought brings me joy. I expect it to be fascinating to look at someone and have a full understanding of how they’ve progressed over many years.

Challenge: If you’ve thought of a person you haven’t talked to in a while, send them a text and ask them to talk about their life. It might be a joyous interaction for both of you.