A group of friends has captured hearts online by recreating the same photo 19 years later, and there’s one particular reason why so many are hailing it a ‘success’.
Maintaining friendships from the age of 10 through to 17 and then at 29 is a rare feat indeed.
But what makes this story even more touching is how a group of six buddies managed to replicate an old photo nearly two decades later, prompting a wave of nostalgia and warmth on social media.
At 10, life is significantly different; back then, our biggest worries were probably deciding what game to play next. It’s safe to say most of us have undergone considerable changes since those early years.
Remember when being 17 meant stressing over exams, navigating the complexities of dating, or sneaking drinks from our parents? And by 29, the reality of adult responsibilities, like paying taxes and dealing with life amidst economic challenges, settles in.
The fact that Matt Gruber, Joel Atia, Mykil Bachoian, Kevin Opos, Ben Danon, and Aviv Edelstein from Los Angeles have stuck together through these varied life stages is commendable. They celebrated their enduring friendship by sharing a series of three photos taken 19 years apart, which they posted on Reddit.
The heartwarming sequence quickly went viral, drawing numerous comments from people marveling at their ability to maintain their bond over the years.
The photos, originally uploaded to the Reddit thread r/pics a decade ago, were reposted recently by user u/alanboston405.
Comments ranged from “Head counts match. I’d call that a success on its own,” to another user reflecting, “I was just going to say that he’s lucky they’re all still around.” Others expressed nostalgia, with one saying, “That’s cute. I wish I still had friends from my youth.”
During an interview with the Huff Post, the group shared insights into their lasting friendship. Ben revealed that Kevin has been the ‘glue’ holding everyone together, while Mykil credited their shared upbringing and common interests as the foundation of their bond.
Joel described the group not just as friends but as family, emphasizing the depth of their relationship: “We’ll always be there for each other, no matter the time and distance that separates us.” He added, “There’s that old saying ‘Blood is thicker than water’, but is it thicker than 20 years of friendship and memories? No, they’re exactly the same. Kev, Mykil, Aviv, Matt, and Ben aren’t my friends, they’re my brothers.”