I've always found myself being surrounded by amazing people: people that have always cared about me and people I could call for anything. I might get an ear full about how stupid I was or they might give me the ugly truth, but those people were there.
It has been my experience, since coming to college, that not everyone has been as fortunate and blessed as I have been. I have recently found one of my absolute best friends. Someone that I felt like I have known my whole life but actually only known for a few months. This doesn't mean that I haven't always had true friends or best friends even, but this person in particular sticks out in my mind while writing this. We both have had crappy friends but have brought out the best in each other. And some of these might seem obvious, but surprisingly, until you think about it being applied to your friends, you won't come to the realization you have crappy friends.
1. Your true friend won't ever want to hurt you
Now don't get me wrong, I want to punch my best friend when she just won't stop singing at the top of her lungs. Likewise, with my obnoxious laugh. But emotionally, it hurts me to watch her hurt, and she would never do anything to hurt my feelings or betray my trust. EVER.
2. Your true friend is always there
I've called my friend to come to get me at inconvenient times before and not once did I hear a complaint. She's called me to come to get her and nothing was said about it. This is a small example, but there is a mutual understanding that no matter what either one of us ever needed, we would have each other's back no questions asked. The range is infinite, but if I needed someone, she would be there.
3. It's never a problem for them to listen
When you have something to rant about, your true friend will always listen until the very end. There is no trying to turn the conversation back on them or act like they don't care. Because your true friend will care. If it is affecting you emotionally, physically, or mentally, it genuinely affects them too. There is also the inevitable gossip that will happen when two girls are together. There is such a wide range of topics discussed late at night with your BFF.
4. Honesty
It has always been the best policy. But when it comes to your close friends, it matters so so much. This ranges anywhere from telling you your hair needs some adjusting before you leave the house or on a bad day just reminding her that she is awesome (because it's the truth). Honesty is so very important in every relationship and should not be taken lightly. This is also a good indicator of a person's character and where their loyalties lie.
5. Motivation
When you set a new goal or tell your bestie what you want to do next, they will help keep you motivated. This could be something so small as even just sending an affirming text message at some point during the day that you are awesome. If you want to start a new gym membership because you want to lose weight, she will nag you 3 weeks afterward when you're tired and you want to give up to keep going because it will all pay off.
6. Ice cream run partners
Obviously.
7. Share the same interests as you
This is not a must but a definite plus. Even if you don't share the same interests with your bestie, they will still act like they care about it or at least when you are talking about something you enjoy. They won't make fun of you or judge for something you care deeply about. If they make fun of something you love to the point of hurting you.... run sis, run.
8. Proud FOR you when something big happens
When you get a new job for example, a true friend will be happy that you are doing something new and making money and expanding your horizons. They won't be thinking about the discount that they could possibly be getting or how it would benefit them (although that's not a bad thought, that's not the main thought). Because a true friend will put your well being before their own.
9. Sad for you when you hurt
When I'm sad, my best friend sits and listens. She tries to rationally talk me through what is bothering me. She tells me it will all work out. Although lots of people aren't granted the gift of knowing how to comfort a sad person, she empathizes with me. Sometimes she may not talk a whole lot and just listen, I just know that my pain is her pain. And it throws both of us off the rest of the day if one of is upset. She truly cares, and you can tell when a person actually cares about you.
10. Love you always
Through thick and thin, your true friend will always love you. No matter how many water bottles your steal from them, or even how many times your wake them up to come get you. Your true friend will love you through it all.
I hope at some point in life, every person is able to experience what a real TRUE friend is like. It is something that no one should take for granted and everyone should cherish. As my best friend will go on a new journey at the end of her senior year, I know we will always keep in touch and she is bound for such great things. Her hard work, lightheartedness, and fun-loving personality is something not everyone is blessed enough to have.
Thank you to my true friend for always being there for me and making all these great memories with me. I know there are many more to come, and I can't wait. I am so blessed to have you be a part of my life.
