Friendships are bittersweet.
Friends come in all different shapes, and sizes. Some come with an expiration date attached, others last a lifetime.
Some of those friendships are ones that we never even saw coming. They may not be someone we are expected to be friends with, but they are every bit as valuable. There might be something deep that seriously powerful that binds us together, like saving all of China.
Advice: Be open to new experiences. Most friendships form from something and if you decide to only associate with one group, you'll miss out on quality people.
Be friends with people who hold you up when the rest of the world seems to be crumbling down. They know how to read you better than you'd like to admit and you secretly admire them for it.
Advice: Don't be afraid of the hard stuff. Don't be afraid of the truth.
Sometimes friendships form fast and unexpectedly. Other times, friendships grow from the first day of preschool. I like to believe that no matter when it formed, it is still capable of reaching the same level of deepness. The ugly cry is essential to these types of relationships.
Advice: Don't compare friendships. Every person is different, and so is their companionship. Embrace the uniqueness of each.
Be friends with those who see the broken you and love each part anyway. Even if they don't understand every piece yet, appreciate that they are trying.
Advice: It's okay to be vulnerable. Don't be afraid of trust even if it has been broken in the past, and be open about it.
Be friends with those who want to celebrate you when you're at your best, and embrace you at your worst. They should be the person we want to talk to when we receive good news and the one we know we can trust when we experience bad news.
Advice: Celebrating is always more fun and crying is always more bearable with someone else. Disclaimer: Both events should include food.
Friends are there to experience life with us. Experience life together to the point in which its no longer a friendship, but a family. Their parents become second parents, and their place becomes your second home.
Advice: Friends become the family that you may have never had. Don't take that for granted.
Find someone who will not only listen to you, but pray with you and for you. It's not every day you meet someone who is willing to do both. They're special, and sometimes their silence is louder than their advice could ever be.
Advice: Get to the deep part first. Share your heart and your expectations. Allow them to dive into the relationship the same way you chose to.
Find someone who encourages you in the small moments, the type of friends who make you want to be a better person. Recognize that being a friend to someone is an important and valuable role. It is more than a title; it is an action.
Advice: Put the effort into the relationships that you think are worth it. It's the people around you that help shape you into the person you are and who you want to become. Make sure that you set standards for the people in your life.
A forever friend is not necessarily someone that you have to see every day. Sometimes, there is months between communication. Knowing one another's heart and being each others sidekicks has allowed there to be a basic understanding.
In return, love them with the same heart that they learned to love you with.
