Both men are 37, and they have been friends since the second grade.

They had been in school together since the third grade.

"We went to the same school since the 5th grade."

They had known each other since third grade and, by his account, were the best of friends.

We had been friends almost forever, since first grade at least.

Even though we've been friends since first grade and she never told me this secret before.

So far as I could see, he hadn't changed much since sixth grade.

Her son, she said, had wanted to be a soldier since third grade.

He'd had no experience in that department since the seventh grade, after all.

The two men, friends since the fifth grade, stopped talking.