BR met IL in kindergarten. Before September was over, I was hearing about IL regularly. While walking one morning, BR told me, “IL is the best friend a guy could have.”
The first play date BR had outside of our neighborhood was with IL. I was nervous when I left him there. BR was excited. When I picked him up two hours later, BR was still smiling.
The boys seemed to understand and appreciate each other in a way that others did not. They were their own group and in their own world.
Not Always Best Friends
It’s been two years since BR and IL have been together in the same school. When Mrs. MMK and I pulled BR from school, we made sure to tell him that we would schedule play dates with IL regularly. And they have gotten together regularly since then. Of course, life is busy, and the definition of regularity continues to lengthen.
These days, when IL comes to our house, he heads right down to the playroom where BR is waiting for him. Other than breaks for cookies, juice, and pretzels, I see or hear little of him while he is here. The boys are content with each other’s company.
Twelve is a funny age.
Do you remember who your best friend was when you were twelve? Do you see each other? Are you Facebook friends?
Twelve is a funny age. Children are maturing. The boys are talking about girls, and the words yuck or stupid are not part of the conversation. Boys also talk about baseball, Lego, and Minecraft.
Some talk more about Minecraft. Some talk more about girls.
While that’s fine, what impact does it have on best friend status when you are twelve and in different middle schools?
Change in Status
After a recent play date at our house, I drove IL home. He seems different. It’s easier to see changes in those you see less frequently. I know BR is growing up too and changing. But the changes seem gradual.
As I drove IL home (BR and SJ were in the back seat), I was wondering about the friendship between he and BR. Where once they seemed cut from the same cloth, the differences now are more apparent.
Just as BR has other best friends now, I’m sure IL does too. Maybe, the two of them will continue to stay close (and I hope they do), but they may not always be best friends.
It’s hard to see the future of a twelve-year-old.The changes start happening, and they will only become more pronounced.
BR and IL remain friends. It’s not the friendship that they had when they were six.It can’t be. Maybe those changes will make the friendship stronger and maybe not. Either way, it will be different.
Twelve is a funny age.
Pic is courtesy of unsplash.
Our Caleb is going through a similar thing with one of his friends. They’ve been close for a few years, but both of them are changing a lot as the teen years loom. I think adding some new friends into the rotation of sleepovers will be good for both of them!
It’s interesting to see these changes. Who will make the cut as things move on? Will the old friends remain?
Good luck with that sleepover.
I look back 6 years and the friendships I had then, that I still have today, are different, too. 12 may be a funny age, but I think it’s natural that people and their friendships evolve. And I’m actually grateful for some of the friendship changes that have happened in the last 6 years!! 🙂
I think they have to evolve. We are always changing. However, I think it’s more dramatic when you are at certain phases of life – particularly childhood.
It is a great age and a hard age because you can’t decide if you want to be a kid or be older.
I watched my kids wrestle with it and overall they managed just fine, but there are those moments.
I agree with the great age/hard age comment.
Interesting to see this stage and try to help him manage and see him grapple.
I’m actually impressed that they’re still friends six years later. I don’t remember keeping a friend for that long in the younger grades. Seemed my best friend for the year was whomever I sat next to in class. But perhaps boys are different.
It is impressive that they have kept up considering different neighborhoods and schools. I was best friends with the kid across the street for years. We remain in touch today.