Friends

Over the past couple of years, I have gone through various trials and tribulation, not unlike many others. It was during those times and some of my darker moments, my friends supported me and made me laugh. These random acts of kindness and laughter got me to thinking... What makes a friend and how does that develop into a friendship? We have co-worker friends, family friends, friends, friend of friend that become a friend, and lifelong friends but what sets one friend apart from others? So, I Googled ~ define friend... a person whom one knows and with whom one has a bond of mutual affection, typically exclusive of sexual or family relations. Huh? That doesn't sound very friendly 😊 So I challenged myself to come up with my own definition of a friend and friendships.

Co-worker friend ~ These are co-workers that for reasons unknown have touched a place in your heart. Something between you clicked. You probably began by sharing your experiences with each other of course, not everything and that's okay, they just know more about you than the average co-worker. Sometimes, a mutual trust develops, and the co-worker friend become friend and this friendship should not be a source for gossip nor should it be taken lightly. 

Family friend ~ In some ways we are born into these friends/friendships yet that doesn't mean they work out. Growing up my parents were friends with six couples, closer to some than others but friends non the less. Since we all did so much together it seemed only natural that some of us kids became friends, again some than others. So, what made the 'some more than others' different? I think in part because of their openness, personalities, non-judgmental ways, competitive in a fun way, common interests, humor and laughter ~ lots of laughter. What set them apart was they didn't lay blame on anyone, if one was in trouble, we were all in trouble, not a tattletale. Supportive ~ we can get through this together and laughter, when with them I always seem to have a good time and laugh. Between your common interests and laughter family friends may wind up being lifelong friends. Plus, life just seems so simple when I 'm with them, perhaps because our friendship is rooted in simpler times.

Friend ~ To me these are friends you made in your adult life. While I may know a lot of people, I don't consider all of them friends, that is reserved for the people who take that extra step to get to know me and except me and all my quirkee-ness and begin to build a friendship then work on maintaining it. They hang in there with you through the tough times, yet they don't give you false hopes. They listen to what you are going through and don't try to one up you ~ you think you got it bad, we'll I... These friends don't tell you what you want to hear, they tell you the truth. Point in case, I asked my friend... 'Does this dress make my butt look big?' To which she replied... 'No, your butt is big.' 😃

Friend of a friend that became a friend ~ To me this one is special because these folks already have a friend, you share a mutual friend, yet they choose to welcome you. It is that unconditional welcoming warmth that makes these friendships so special. Over the past  years I have be welcomed into this type of friendship and it has blossomed from ~ friend of a friend that became a friend to family friend and I feel blessed. As time passes these special friends can morph into lifelong friends.

Lifelong friend ~ I think it goes without saying... these are the friends that know your utmost secrets and they will take them to their grave. They are not about gossip but friendship loyalty. You experienced all your 'first' together and much more. You shared your first love story with them, and they were there when it ended to help you get back on your feet and your loves and losses thereafter. Whether you can talk to them every week, month, or year ~ you can pick up where you left off just like it was yesterday. They are the ones you can call at any hour and they are there with open ears to listen and warm hearts for comfort. Even in your darkest moment lifelong friends can make you laugh. 😄

I don't believe friends are interchangeable, God forbid you should lose a friend, you can't replace them with another. Friendships are built on a form of unconditional caring type of love, trust, honesty, tears, non-judgmental support, and lots of laughter.  I think regardless of the type of friend/friendship you have or may be developing; you should never take them for granted, they should be cherished because a friendship is truly something special. So, reach out to that special friend and share a laugh. 😊

                                                   Peace, Love & Friendship💖