There’s a popular saying that goes like this: “People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime. When you figure out which one it is, you will know what to do for each person.” I think we’ve all experienced these three types of friendships.

And then there are those friends you rarely see anymore, who will pop back into your life from time to time and you feel just as close as you did before. It’s like nothing between you has really changed. That’s when you know there is a real life-long connection. I am fortunate to have a few friends like that – and one in particular who has a way of brightening my day with her “out of the blue” texts.

I don’t see my friend Elizabeth very often as she moved out of state several years ago, but we do text each other to catch up. Or she’ll pop back into town for a surprise visit. It usually coincides with some holiday or event or a family milestone one of us is having. I also reach out when something funny makes me think of her, or if I just want to share some good news or ask for some travel advice – which is one of her areas of expertise.

A few weeks ago, she texted a photo of us taken at a golf outing we played in many years ago. It made me laugh. We were wearing matching outfits she’d purchased – including visors with golf tees glued to them. We looked young and silly and had big smiles on our faces. Elizabeth is all about having fun, and that often involves a theme.

This was followed by more photos of us at various events: – in Bermuda shorts at another golf outing, dressed up at holiday party shortly before they moved. They brought a flood of fun memories of our friendship over the years.

“I’m organizing my photos,” she said – explaining the flurry of pictures. There’s something about looking through pictures from the past that makes you want to share them with others – and I was so glad she did. I’m sure many of her other friends were also lucky recipients of these visual memories – and I’m guessing they brought smiles to their faces as well. We are all lucky to have friendships that stand up to the test of time.

Elizabeth and I met when our kids were in grade school. We have a fair amount in common: we’re both tall (that tall girl bond is a real thing), we’re both from big Catholic families, we like to stay active (walking, golf, exercise class) and have many mutual friends. But there’s also an “opposites-attract” element to our friendship. She’s super high energy, outgoing and has a silly side to her. I’m quieter, introspective and a bit more reserved. It makes for a great friendship – and a winning golf duo.

Now that we are both in our early sixties and our children have graduated from college and are living their adult lives, we enjoy sharing our family news and catching up along the way. Graduations and career news, a wedding, a baby, retirement and travel. Our lives moving forward.

We are past the days of juggling kid’s activities, careers and a household. We’ve traded some of our youthful looks for wisdom, peace of mind and acceptance. We laugh about the aches and pains of aging and talk about how we love having adult children. As time has gone by, our friendship has remained steady. We are always able to pick off where we left off. We feel comfortable in our conversations.

The friends that I’ve had for many years are the gifts that keep on giving. These are the relationships built on deep bonds and common experiences, and they can’t be undone by the passage of time. All it takes is reaching out to show that we are thinking of them. It does the soul good to connect with the people who will always have a special place in our heart.

Readers answer the question: “Do you have friends that you don’t see often, but when you do it’s like picking up where you left off?”

–          Kim Arnold: “Yes. Blessed to have a few. They’re from high school and college. It doesn’t matter how long we go. I really consider them more like sisters than friends. I love them so much! About 15 years ago, my best friend from when I was very little and I connected again. It was like a day hadn’t passed.”

–          Courtney Ramshaw: “My best girlfriends from high school! We got to spend time together recently and it filled my heart and soul. It’s like no time has passed at all!”

–          Martha Kay Stock Yeakel: “Our high school friends. We can pick up where we left off and of course spend a lot of time talking about the “good old days.” When my husband passed away, they were there for me in so many ways and I truly appreciated that.”

–          Betty Zeedyk: “This happens all the time with high school and college friends. About ten Buckley Loda graduates (from the 70’s) now attend a monthly community event at Gibson City Hospital and 40 years later, it’s like we never left Buckley.”

–          Dan Sparks: “I used to have quite a few. Now that I am pushing 71, their numbers are dwindling.”