Friends are complicated things to have. They make you laugh, they make you cry, they make you crazy. And when they really do their job well, they make you think.

It is one of life's amazing miracles to sit down with a friend and talk. Just talk, about anything, everything. When it happens, it's magic.

A human connection is made that is almost unexplainable (but I'll try anyway).

This connection is not made easily. It only occurs with those people you look forward to seeing, miss when they're gone and share inside jokes with. They're the people you pay hard-earned money to fly to see on breaks and the ones you pay big phone bills to talk to. They're the ones you just "click" with.

We had these people in our lives during high school. We may still have them from days long gone. They are the links to our past and the great memories that can never be replicated or replaced and we should never forget them. They're forming these new, important bonds too. We think of them, they think of us and sometimes that's just enough.

What's important is that we appreciate these people while we have them. And I suppose I don't want to feel guilty that I haven't talked to my best friend from high school in nearly a month because I've been trying to spend as much time having a life here as I can. She's having fun; I'm having fun — what's the big deal?

We need our friends all the time. It's not just the late-night talks or the beer runs that make memories. It's all the time. Studying together, crying together or eating in the dining hall. These are all precious moments. (After all, the dining hall is where you get those great "Did-you-see-Friend-S-drop-her-drink on-that-guy?-He-was-so-mad" stories).

But we need to remember that a friend is more than the person you see on the quad and offer the trite "Hey, how are ya?" and "Good, you?" They are shoulders to lean on, hands bearing tissues and sources of more laughter than you can imagine. Who else would kneel with you and hold your hair back with pride than a true friend?

A friend:

•is a therapist.

•knows your favrite candy.

•leaves you random cards for inspiration,

or just a good laugh.

•apologizes.

•knows your fears.

•can't wait to see you.

•is your mother, father, brother, sister.

•makes you smile, even when you

don't want to.

•wakes you up at 4:15 for practice.

•knows they don't need an invitation.

•goes to Mass with you.

•loans you $20.

•leaves the light on when you come home

at 5 a.m.

•doesn't insult you.

•lets things go.

•makes you comfortable.

•doesn't send "win money by forwarding this" forwards.

•doesn't want to say "goodbye."

•wants to hear "I love you."

So tell them. You know you're thinking of them.

Go, tell them.

Now.

• A 'friend'ly reminder