A couple months ago, I found myself at one of my old friend’s Hanukkah party. At the party, many of my old friends were scattered around the dining room table and living room, chatting as we ate latkes and chicken. Towards the end of the party, we lit the menorah, sang the traditional Hanukkah prayers and tunes, and ultimately relaxed. The orange flames danced on the menorah as we came together to take group photos – which were all obviously coordinated by our parents. In various stages of relaxation, we gathered on the couch and talked about life from where we’re thinking of going to college to old elementary school memories. The night was fraught of laughter and warm conversations that I could not believe took years to eventually come to. By the end of the night, my mouth was tired from smiling the entire time. All in all, I had a great a time. Mind you, I have not seen these friends in ages – literally ages. However, there’s a reason for that. I used to attend a Jewish private school called Solomon Schechter Day School. From kindergarten to fourth grade, I saw them every single day. We shared many adolescent memories laden with nonsensical actions, humorous accidents, and an overall strong friendship. During those years, my friends and I had many playdates, sleepovers, after school chats on AIM – which was the …show more content…
For the first year, I stayed in contact with my friends through Facebook and we would meet up once in awhile for playdates and birthday parties, but it would not last. Eventually, after a couple of years, I became more and more engulfed in my new circle of friends in public school. As a result, I grew more distant with my old Schechter friends and would only see them a handful of times a year. Fast forward seven years later, I’m a senior in high school and I’m at the point where I see them close to