There are no friends quite like old friends. I am writing this in anticipation of the imminent arrival of some truly old friends. We first met the Mitchells about fifty years ago.

Since then, we have stayed in touch and have visited one another from time to time. We would have spent more time together had we not found ourselves living so far from one another. However, living at a distance has never meant our friendship ended. It did not waiver or fade.

What can possibly hold two couples together after all this time? We were once young parents whose children meant everything to us. Our marriages were in their early years and already showing great promise. Our beliefs and values were similar. That early friendship was important to both couples; we needed the reassurance of other young couples who were facing similar challenges. That explains how our mutual friendship started. But what has sustained it?

The core values and beliefs that we held back then are the same today. Family values and belief in God are now mature and affirmed by life our experiences. We know we can count on the Mitchells. We are assured that they know they can count on us. Thus? There are no friends quite like old friends.

In a few hours, the Mitchells will arrive. Hugs and warm welcomes will ensue. The same will occur the next time we see the remaining old friends in our lives; people we became friends with over forty or fifty years ago. Ranging from our late seventies into our mid-eighties, we know our days of life are numbered but we will hold close to the very end. That is what old friends do.