If you've been friends with someone for 10 or more years, consider yourself lucky. I am fortunate enough that my closest friendships go back a long time: Oldest friendship: 24 years Second oldest friendship: 15 years Third oldest friendship: 11 years However, maintaining these friendships hasn't been easy. Spats over the years nearly decimated the latter two friendships, and right now I am in hot water with my oldest friend.  Luckily, things have a way of working out, but I realize that not everyone is as docile and forgiving as I am. When I put considerable time and effort into a relationship, I do my best to keep it alive.  But friendships are a two-way street; they require serious time and effort from both parties. If only one person is putting in all the work, that friendship will likely go down the tubes.  Maintaining friendships only becomes more difficult as we get older. Once we're well past the college and drinking years, it isn't as easy to...