When most people think about how college influenced their life, they usually talk about inspiring professors, thought provoking courses or the many networking opportunities that unfolded as a result of internships, independent study programs, etc… For me however, college was not only about the academics and the experiences that lead to a successful career but it was about meeting people and developing long lasting and life changing friendships.

Saturday night Darren and I met up with two of my college roommates and their husbands for dinner. Fate brought the three of us together as a random computer match put us all in the same suite at SUNY Albany. Little did we know on that first day when we met, that all these years later we would still be just as close. Knowing each other for half our lives, we have been through so much together. We started out as carefree college students and through the years transitioned into adults. As we chatted up a storm Saturday night on some level it felt like time stood still – only our dorm room was now replaced with beautiful homes, cheap beer and wine coolers are now wine and cocktails, and wings and subs became home cooked three course dinners. Somewhere been studying, partying and trading clothes, we grew up. All three of us are happily married with thriving careers, Amy has two children and last night Shari broke the exciting news that she has a baby on the way.

For many, post graduation friendships fade as people move on to different phases in their lives, but our friendship has only grown stronger. We have stuck by each other through life’s ups and downs and even if there were pockets of time when we didn’t see each other as often as we hoped, some how we managed to pick up right where we left off the minute we were together. We bring out the best in each other, laugh constantly and add a little something special to each others lives. For me, these girls were the biggest influence in my life and when I think back to my days in Albany, it is my memories with them that are in the forefront of my mind, not the academics.