Sometimes certain people are put in your life to teach you a lesson, and then they leave once you have learned it. But other times someone comes into your life, and whether you were looking for a friend or not they make a remarkable impression that lasts a lifetime. These people stay with you through thick and thin, know you at your best and at your worst, and love you no matter what. Making lifelong friends is what I consider one of the most valuable things in the world. So how do you know if you have them? Here's 10 ways you can tell, based on who my friends for life are.
1. They genuinely enjoy hearing all the excessive chatter your family can’t stand to hear.
My parents and sisters constantly tell me that I talk too much. Even when I’m home from college and we have barely spoken in months, they tell me to shut up from the front of the car because, “I’m just noise.” To me, all I’m doing is being goofy and saying what’s on my mind. But then there’s this one special friend I have. We talk a few times a month, if not every week for almost an hour. 95 percent of our conversation consists of me saying what’s on my mind and barely giving her a chance. A true friend is okay with this, they are always asking “how are you?” and listening with patience as you spill out to them. This shows how grateful they are just to be listening to you.
2. They make more effort to maintain your friendship than you do
My closest friend knows that I hate texting, so when they barely hear from me the phone, they reach out with emails and cute handwritten letters with drawings and different color ink for each paragraph. I honestly wouldn’t send them letters if they didn’t send me any. And on those days where so much is on my mind, I’ll get a random cute text that lets me know I am on their mind and want to be heard from. Then when I’m thinking of one of my friends they always gives me a call before I think to give them one.
3. They faithfully listen to your worries and offer loving advice
I always ask, “are you sure you want to hear it?” before spilling out my daily hassles and bigger life problems. And my friends are always so supportive and attentive to everything I am saying. Their advice is priceless and even if they don’t have any, just having someone to listen to you who genuinely cares is a beautiful thing.
4. They remain faithful and understanding when you have a problem with them
I love my friends, but sometimes our personalities clash. The best thing to do when that happens is to talk it out. And with my friends, when I do I get the same caring listening ear as when the problem is about anything else. There is never any fights that end with hanging up the phone or resentment, only open-minded listening that shows a willingness to work things out.
5. Little everyday things make them think of you and vice versa.
Do you ever go out and see something or hear something in class and think of something really stupid or funny that happened with your closest friends and start laughing in public? Does it happen almost everyday because you have spent so much time together and have so many great memories? Yeah, that’s what I mean.
6. They respect that sometimes you just need some alone time
As much as you love them, everybody needs "me" time, and your friends for life will know the difference between this and when you really need someone to talk to.
7. They love you for exactly who you are
The weirdo. The emotional nutcase. The over affectionate friend. The insecure person. The bad singer. The farter. The horrible cook (but pretend you’re good.)
8. They lovingly offer constructive criticism
Because sometimes you’re annoying too.
9. You remember them being there for every stressful situation you’ve been in since knowing them
'Nuf said, bro.
10. They accept the fact that you’re too prideful to call them your “best friend” even though they are.
I really don’t like the term “best friend,” which I why I use quotation marks. I believe that no friend should be your “best” and I personally love all my friends the same. Also, I don't want to go around giving anybody that title. But there is one special friend I have and she has gone above and beyond for me in so many ways, loved me unconditionally and made me smile and laugh time and time again. The truth is that in my head, and behind her back to people at my college, I do say she is my best friend. Because she has done everything for me that a best friend would do. And she has proven to be a friend forever. Even if I’m not hers, it doesn’t mater, because I will always consider her mine.
