A parent or grandparent is someone to connect with and share memorable moments with.

These four students and one recent graduate told The Eclipse why their parent or grandparent is their best friend.

Freshman Ali Walden

Why is your parent your best friend?

“My mom is my best friend because I haven’t met anyone besides her with the same personality as me.”

How does your parent maintain being a friend and a parent at the same time?

“I have no idea how she maintains it to be honest. She really is my mom when I need it, like when I don’t do my homework and when dinner is made. Besides that, she’s more of a person to go to for drama and advice since she doesn’t go to school anymore.”

What’s your favorite memory with your parent?

“I don’t really have a favorite memory with her, but my favorite thing to do with her is to watch TV, which sounds silly, but we always have discussions about it, laugh, and have an awesome time. Most of the time I’m on the floor dying of laughter when we watch television together.”

Freshman Sadie Osgood

Why is your parent your best friend?

“My mom is my best friend because she is there for me when my friends aren’t. She picks me up when I’m down, and when I lose a friend I know that there’s one friend I can trust because I know she can hold all my secrets.”

How does your parent maintain being a friend and a parent at the same time?

“My mom is pretty strict on things, but she loves to have a good time as well. When it comes to school, she helps me the best that she can with homework and other things. But she is not just about school work. She loves to mess around with me and we always tease each other.”

What’s your favorite memory with your parent?

“Best memory of my mom is very hard to choose. There are so many times where in the mornings we will mess around in the car on our way to school, and those are the days that I know I’m going to have a good day because the day started out great, having fun with my mom.”

Sophomore Mallory Simms

Why are your parents  your best friends?

“My parents are my best friends because they help me through my problems, they know how to cheer me up when I’m sad, and I can talk to them about anything.”

How do your parents maintain being your friends and parents at the same time?

“My parents are my friends and my parents because we have a really easy relationship and we have mutual respect like friends. But they discipline me when I need it.”

What’s your favorite memory with your parents?

“My favorite memory with my parents was our trip to Venice, Florida, this last spring break because we had a lot of fun as a family while visiting the beach and touring the area. We made a lot of memories that I will never forget.”

Junior Elise Pariseau

Why are your parents your best friend?

“My parents are my best friends because we do everything together. Most parents need time away from their kids, but they love spending time with my sister and I. They also are a ton of fun.”

How do your parents maintain being your friends and parents  at the same time?

“My parents both know how to balance between friendship and parenting. Both know when enough is enough and though we have fun, can be strict as a parent should be.”

What’s your favorite memory with your parents?

“My favorite memory with my parents is when we took a spontaneous camping trip to the UP (Upper Peninsula). It was fun because it was just us four and it gave us a lot of time to bond without any responsibilities like school or work.”

Miss Kali Turner, Class of 2017

Why is your grandmother your best friend?

“My grandmother is my best friend because she’s helped me through the good, the bad, and the terrible. She pushed me to be the best self I can be and do well in school. She motivated me to get up in the morning. When you go through high school you don’t think about your parents becoming your best friend, but they are the best friends I could’ve asked for the past four years.”

How does your grandmother maintain being a friend and a grandmother at the same time?

“She’s laughed with me and done things with me that I would do with my friends. I guess you say she’s ‘cool.’ She has always been understanding and a very good listener. She’s always ready to have fun and hang out with me. It’s her favorite thing to do. What makes her a parent and not a friend is the fact that she can say no and discipline me as well as  enjoy time together. It doesn’t always go hand and hand, but in this case it does.”

What’s your favorite memory with your grandmother?

“My favorite memory with my grandma would be when she found out I was graduating and done with school. She is so tiny, but she gave me the biggest bear hug she could manage and an even bigger smile. I’ve never felt so much pride in myself. Her smile was and is worth everything to me.”