Crib to college: Best friends forever
Neighbors | Submitted.Poland residents Lauren Camacci (left) and Lindgen Carson have done almost everything together. They were even stranded in Scotland because they forgot to carry cash on them.
Neighbors | Submitted .Poland's Lauren Camacci (left) and Lindgen Carson have never been more than a couple hours driving distance away from each other, until January. Both traveled abroad for college and were separated by a 45-minute plane ride.
Neighbors | Submitted .Poland's Lindgen Carson (front) and Lauren Camacci have been friends since birth. Their parents, who are close friends, were pregnant with them at the same time.
By SHAIYLA HAKEEM
Many can say they have childhood friends, but only a few can say they’ve been friends since they were in diapers.
Poland natives Lauren Camacci and Lingren Carson have literally been friends since birth. Their mothers are close friends and were pregnant with them at the same time. They even lived across the street from each another until they were 7 years old.
“We were together all the time when we were younger by necessity, but we have stayed together by choice,” Camacci said.
A typical year with the friends included lots of quality time, combined family trips and holiday gatherings. Over the years, the Camacci and Carson families have united with a relationship that is closer than the average friendship.
“I always go over to Lauren’s house for the big Italian Christmas eve dinner and they always come over for our Thanksgiving feast,” Carson said.
They both attended Union Elementary and graduated from Poland Seminary High school in 2007. They have since been attending college in pursuit of bachelor’s degrees.
Camacci attends the College of Wooster studying communications, while Carson is obtaining a degree in dance and English from Wittenberg University.
“At school there are multiple phone calls and it is only a two-hour drive maximum,” Carson said. During summer breaks, the girls return to Poland to take summer classes at Youngstown State University and work to save cash for the upcoming semester.
The two had never been more than a couple hours driving distance away from each other until January. Camacci traveled to Ireland through Trinity College’s study abroad program. Though her college major is communications, she studied history while abroad.
Carson spent her winter semester in England.
These Poland natives didn’t let the distance of foreign countries separate them for too long. While studying abroad, the two arranged a reunion in Scotland where they toured Edinburgh.
“That was when the volcano erupted so we were there a little longer than expected,” Camacci said. “It was still a lot of fun.”
Carson and Camacci will enter their senior year of college this fall. They have grown up together, but their future may include a more permanent separation.
Camacci said she would like to stay within driving distance of Poland. Carson, on the other hand, would like to live within flying distance of her hometown.
“I can’t see us growing any further a part, ever,” Camacci said. “At this point, it’s more of a sisters thing with us than a friendship thing.”
Graduate school is definitely Camacci’s next step after graduating from College of Wooster. She wants eventually obtain a doctorate degree and teach as a college professor.
Carson is interested in spending more time abroad before committing herself to graduate school. Since she will be obtaining a degree in dance, she would like to explore the opportunities available in France.
Carson said regardless of what her future holds, her friendship with Camacci will never diminish.
“Even if I do move to London and get my dual citizenship, Lauren will still only be a phone call and a Skype away,” Carson said.