Friends come and go in life, but certain memories last forever. You may not remember your best friends from first grade or fifth (and you're especially lucky if you still have them!), but you can never shake the memory of your high school best friends.
There's something about coming of age with a crew that creates such an inseparable bond. Even if you haven't seen these friends in years, maybe even since you graduated, you still know what you share and you hold it dear to your heart. Fresh off the brink of high school and ready to take on whatever life would bring them, five best friends from Santa Barbara, California, wanted to hold on to their friendship forever.
While the pack of 19-years-old were on vacation at a lake house in 1982, they made a pact straight out of a movie script. No matter what happens or where life takes them, they would return to that same cabin on the lake and recreate one special photo together to see how they change every five years. Most importantly, it would be a way to keep these best friends together. They saw how their parents lost touch with their friends over the years and they were determined to not let that happen.
The first photo is from 1982, the second from '87. They met again in 1992 and 1997, and they'll continue to meet at the lake house for their "Five Year Photo Project" until there is no one left. Are you hitting yourself in the head saying, "why didn't I think of this?!"? It's such a fantastic idea and if you're lucky, there is still time to call a friend from the past and relive the memories in your own way.
Check out the photos of the five lifelong friends and don't forget to show some love if you enjoy their touching story…
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1982 - A cross between boys and men, the 19-year-olds want nothing more than to hold on to this perfect time in life. From left to right: John Wardlaw, Mark Rumer, Dallas Burney, John Molony, John Dickson.
1987 - Feeling good at 24 years old, the young men are coming into their own ways. In their prime, the guys are ready to take on the world.
1992 - No one ever wants to grow up, but it's inevitable. The gang's appearance has changed and they decided it's time to put on shirts as they enter the final year of their 20's.
1997 - At 34 years old, the crew is likely in different places in their lives, with families, careers and changes on the horizon. However, nothing is more important than their reunion at the lake.
2002 - They've made it to a new millenium! Twenty years has passed since their photo was first taken and the men definitely look the part, but their bond is still as close as ever.
2007 - Where has the time gone?! At 44 years old, they all sprung for Copco Lake tee shirts. At this point, I want to see a photo of their kids lined up at the fence!
2012 – Thirty years later and they're still going strong! Nearing 50, the photos – and the memories that go along with them – are more important than ever before. The boys say they'll continue this tradition every five years, until no one is left standing. If this isn't true friendship, I don't know what is!
