Do the friends we make at 15 stay with us for life?
A personal essay explores the enduring nature of a friendship formed during a teenage exchange program in France. The author reflects on the ease of reconnecting with a childhood friend after 35 years of separation.
Why it matters
It provides a human-interest perspective on the psychological and social importance of long-term friendships.
After bonding as teens in France, they lost touch for decades. But the impact of their friendship endured.
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Share A A A The last time I saw Elsa, we were teenage girls in Melbourne, crying over a goodbye. Now, standing in a bustling square in France with my four daughters, I scan the crowd for a face I hope I will still recognise. What will it feel like to see each other again after all this time? More importantly, will our friendship still be there?
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