Katie Holland: There's nothing better than old friends

BESTIES: You may not see them for years but, when you do, it's like you saw them yesterday. PHOTO/THINKSTOCK

When things are a bit rubbish, as they sometimes can be in life, and it's all getting a bit much - what lifts your spirits?

For some, all it takes is exercise, fresh air or a long walk in the Redwoods to make life instantly feel brighter. Others eat or drink their sorrows, reaching for the biggest chocolate bar, bowl of ice cream, or glass of red they can find. Or maybe they just let it all out with a great big, heaving cry then, as Taylor would say, "shake it off" and move on.

I reckon I've done all of the above, at different times.
But, this time, when spirits had sunk a little low, the solution was even better. With perfect timing two of my best - but faraway - friends popped back into my life for a fleeting reunion.

At the risk of sounding like a greeting card, or one of those cheesy quotes people insist on sharing on Facebook, there's not much that's more comforting in life than the company of your old, true friends.

They're the friends who you may go the longest without talking to. But it doesn't matter - because you both know it's all good, you're going about your lives, nothing's changed and when you next talk or see each other (as you know you always will) you'll just pick up and carry on like it was a week not two years since you were last together. Cliches yes, but sometimes they're cliches for a reason.

They're the ones where, within an hour, you're talking about everything and anything from family dramas, to personal setbacks, to your new hairdo and how much weight you've put on/lost since last time. And you all know the ins and outs of each other's dramas, setbacks and weights ... like it or not, nothing is sacred.

They'll mention in passing how their child's sniffing must be driving you insane - because they know your phobia of irritating, repetitive noises. They mockingly inquire after your stroke (possibly a pinched nerve) and heart attack (perhaps indigestion) because they know your hypochondria and have been there through your Gulf War syndrome, meningitis and brain tumour. They know and accept your weirdness and flaws as well as you know and accept theirs.

They're the friendships where it's fine to have a wee cry in the middle of a celebratory dinner, because you're feeling sad, then before you even know it you're all laughing again, not because you feel you have to but because that's where the conversation has taken you. And damn it, when there's champagne and fine food, and a view over a beautiful city, and you're all together again, how can you not be happy?

Sure, the best friends are not always the oldest ones - new friends too are precious. But there's something about a shared history that makes me feel all wrapped up in a safe blanket and lets the walls tumble down. How can there be anything to hide when you've been together through the good, the bad and the ugly?

Dancing for hours then skipping home through deserted Barcelona streets at sunrise. Laughing all the way.

Helping each other through heartbreaks and, boy, some of those heartbreaks felt like they'd never end. The dilemmas and failings and weaknesses you trusted each other with and loved each other just the same.

That time you kissed the same boy, and the fallout that threatened to ruin the friendship forever ... but, of course, it didn't. Do we even remember his name?

So here's to old friends. Better than chocolate, wine or ice cream. Though not better than old friends, chocolate, wine and ice cream combined. Now that's the perfect pick me up.