The people who "Knew You When"

I have been pondering the stages of life we go through. I barely remember childhood to be honest, I wish I did remember more. Fortunately I have a dear friend who I have known since age three, who tells me hilarious stories from our childhood. Then there were the teen years, the 20's, 30's, and now the 40's. Life changes so much over the years. As I get older, I recognize more than ever, the importance of keeping people in my life who knew me at each of those points in time. Not just family, but friends, who went "through the wars" with me, as my husband would say. The friends who knew me in high school, in college, after college but before marriage, etc... I feel so fortunate to have people in my life who "knew me when". People who have pictures and stories from the good (and not so good) old days. Friends who were by my side during some of the hardest times in my life, as well as during the most joyous times. I have very little regret. Don't get me wrong, I did some things while growing up that I am not especially proud of. I know now, that those moments when I took crazy risks, used bad judgement, and disrespected myself, were all refining moments. God uses everything. Even when I was VERY far from him, he used those experiences to mold me into something he wanted me to be. I have a heart for young girls, because I remember so clearly what it was like to be one. I remember the insecurity, the attention seeking, the need to be accepted. I have not been blessed with daughters of my own, but I feel drawn to young women whenever I am near them (In a motherly way of course). We'll see what God has planned for me, it is not clear yet.