You are so right when you talk about the young ones and the children...
Their imagination and the way they learn to think is so much affected nowdays in ways that we can't predict. What I say is mostly what I hope that will happen :) Our brains haven't changed so much during the last thousands years since the first Homo Sapiens, we are like computers having new programs but working with the old hardware. All the info is still in our cells. Sounds very romantic, but I think it is not crazy :)
Old friends is one of the most precious things in life, you are so lucky!
A very good comparison! ..., but unfortunately, many people don't have access to the new programs and don't understand anything anymore, except instincts and the false impression that they understand.
I'm so glad we feel the same way about friends!