Old friendships are like old trees

Old friendships are like old trees.
They’re not measured by how tall they grow,
But by how deep their roots have spread.

That sentiment came alive for me this summer as our family packed up to travel to Texas for my daughter’s synchronized swimming Junior Olympic competition. Before heading out, I picked up the phone to call a few old friends – once Hoosiers like us – who had since moved away from Indiana. It had been years since we’d seen each other in person, but the moment we stepped into their homes, time seemed to rewind.

We were instantly playing that timeless game: “Remember when …”

“Remember when we first landed here, figuring out this new world while holding tight to the one we came from?”

“Remember late-night chai sessions, festival potlucks, carpool chaos, and helping each other decipher American school newsletters?”

Back then, we were young families from different parts of India, different upbringings, different languages and values – but we all shared a common desire: to grow where we had just planted ourselves. Navigating a foreign land, we leaned on each other in those early days to keep our cultural roots alive, all while adapting and learning.

This trip was a beautiful reminder that while life moves on, some roots never die. They may stretch, they may grow in different directions, but they remain connected underground – quietly nourishing the bond.

As we sat together, we weren’t just sharing old memories – we were making new ones. Our kids, who had only met a few times or perhaps not at all, clicked instantly. My youngest even declared, “They’re my BFFs now!” It warmed my heart to see them playing, reading, laughing – as if distance had never separated them.

We visited the newly renovated Frisco Public Library, where each girl found books they were genuinely excited about. The shared love for reading gave them another bond. We cooled off at the neighborhood pool, then indulged in a local favorite – Fruitealicious, a boba shop that lived up to its name. With every slurp, giggle, and photo, we were soaking up the joy of the moment.

Yes, the Texas heat was intense. So we wandered into a local park where a shaded trail and a zipline-filled play area gave way to a beautiful waterline. The kids dipped their toes while we adults dipped back into heartfelt conversations. The most fun? A family-style beach volleyball game at dusk, barefoot in the sand, laughter echoing into the evening.

And it wasn’t about what we did. It was about how we did it – together. With love, lightness, and the kind of connection that only old friends can bring.

We stayed up late that night talking about everything – our new dreams, life’s unexpected challenges, and how our passions had evolved. Somewhere between the laughter and the late-night chai, we realized we were planting new memories atop the old ones, creating another ring in the tree trunk of our friendship.

Early the next morning, we packed up and headed home – just in time for Noblesville’s 4th of July Parade and the Glorious 4th fireworks in Westfield. For the fifth year in a row, we met our local Indiana friends, corn on the cob in one hand and ice cream in the other, hearts full and spirits light.

And in that moment, it all came full circle. From old friendships in new places to new friendships rooted in shared tradition.

So here’s what I’d tell anyone reading this:

Stay grounded. Connect with your roots.

Turn over a new leaf, but never forget the old tree that held you up in the wind.

Nurture those long-standing friendships. Reach out. Reconnect.

Because like trees, old friendships may sway in different directions – but when rooted in love, they never fall apart.

Keep growing – with faith, friends, and family. That’s the kind of garden that lasts a lifetime.

Pooja Thakkar is working to build connections through cuisine. You can read her column each week in the pages of The Reporter.