In today’s episode, I’m talking to my friend of almost twenty years, Jessica Kradjel. We trace the trajectory of our friendship from light rivalry in sixth grade Chorus class to long distance love throughout college and beyond.

During this trip down memory lane, we explore some of the common experiences we and many others have faced in the realm of friendship: friendships of convenience vs. friendships rooted in values and deep connection; how it’s easy to fall in love with friends but perhaps harder to stay in it for the long haul; and how our romantic relationships and the trappings of adulthood have affected our friendships (and vice versa). We talk about what has helped us to remain friends for so long (both factors in and outside of our control) and some of the things we struggle with in friendship, like jealousy and fear of change, and how we meet those struggles.