A few weeks ago, I started a series about the things I've learned from all the people in my life. Here's the latest article in the series devoted to someone who has had almost (if not just as much) influence in my life as my parents: my best friend. 

Best friends are funny ... they're constantly shaping you into the person you will be, and you don't even know it, because you're too distracted by the fun you're having. They become your siblings, your greatest defenders, your cheerleaders, your laughing buddies, your worst critics, and your favorite flatterers. There's no way you can have a best friend and not learn more about yourself, and more importantly, about life. Below are 10 lessons that I've learned from my own, very special best friend (aka the coolest, most genuine person in my life).

1. You're not as funny as you think you are.

If you know me, you know I'm a HORRIBLE story-teller. I mess up punch lines, and unlike most people, I find things like cats in sweaters hilarious ... which makes for silent audiences when I attempt a joke/funny anecdote. It's safe to say that, if you're anything like me, your best friend is pity-laughing for you. But that's just how great of a friend she is, and if you're lucky, she even finds you genuinely hilarious every now and then. 

2. You’re never too old for Disney. 

Disney cures broken hearts (and sickness), brings back the child in all of us, and makes everything magical again. Correct me if I'm wrong, but no matter what age you are, you could always use a little bit of comfort, fun, and magic. Always include a Disney movie night in your best friend reunions. 

3. Cuss words have their place. 

I've always been a "goody-two shoes," but my best friend pointed out that if you burn your hand, or collapse onto the sidewalk of a busy shopping center, you sound a little ridiculous saying "Poop!" Let's face it, most people curse, and that is perfectly acceptable, but you have to know when and where it is appropriate. (I can assure you, if you find yourself at Disney World ... that is not the time, nor the place.)

4. There’s nothing wrong with traditional values.

In the college world, traditional values are losing tread and many of my friends have followed suit. Nothing is wrong with that, but when you're a person who wants to have those traditional values, it can be hard to find someone to turn to ... someone from whom you can get advice. That's where my best friend is perfection. She's "my person," and always has a reminder/pep talk ready. Always look to your best friend for advice; she knows you and the person you want to be. With her advice, you should be able to stick to your guns and accomplish your goals.

5. When your best friend needs you, you come running.

You know you have a great best friend when you call her crying, and she's at your house in less than 5 minutes. Although that's not quite possible with the vast distance between us, I know that if I really needed her, she'd be on a plane to see me, and I would be on a plane to see her. When your bestie needs you, you drop everything, and you run as fast as you can until you're with her. 

6. No distance can separate us. 

Like so many other best friends, we were separated when college came into the picture. She moved up north to Connecticut, while I moved to south Alabama. Because she's at an Academy, our schedules rarely ever meet up (and I'm not just talking about winter breaks; her daily life is vastly different from mine), so we rarely have the opportunity to talk aside from texting. The cool thing is that whenever we're both in town and able to spend time with one another, we are EXACTLY the same as we once were. That's the thing with best friends ... time means nothing.

7. Sometimes, it’s OK to break the rules.

I've never been a rule-breaker. When I played basketball, my parents had to tell me repeatedly that when the coach was yelling, he wasn't necessarily talking to me, because I tried to do everything he said ... (for example, I tried to the follow point guard, shooting guard, and small forward's directions, because I wanted to follow all the rules my coach gave me). My best friend taught me that every now and then, if you can sneak into a concert or work your way into a ticket-only event, do it! You'll never forget those memories, and it's not the kind of thing you'll do when you're older. 

8. Best friends can get over anything. 

We've had our fair share of bumps in the road ... to be honest, we've been through more than most best friends. But we always "get back together," because after a while, you realize that your best friend has become a part of you, and you're just not a whole "you" without her. No matter what you or your best friend may go through, remember that because you both love each other, (and if you're anything like me and my best friend) because you both need each other, you'll always make it through whatever crisis may arise. 

9. Wear what you want to wear. 

This is my favorite lesson my best friend taught me. In high school, for events or a night out, I would always ask her what she was wearing so I could match how dressy she would be. Here's the thing ... If it makes you happy to wear a ball gown to the movie theater, WEAR IT, because it makes you happy. Who cares that your friend will be in sweats (those sweats makes your friend happy). The point is, wear what you want and don't limit your comfort to what everyone else is wearing. (Celebrities like Beyoncé didn't get where they are today by asking what everyone else was doing.)

10. Real friends are hard to come by.

Here's the truest lesson you'll ever learn from your best friend. S.E. Hinton said, "If you have two friends in your lifetime, you're lucky. If you have one good friend, you're more than lucky." I can think of nothing more accurate. These friends, the ones that have a real, vested interest in you and the person you will become ... the friend that is more than happy to sacrifice a day (like graduation or a birthday) to honor you and one who will be excited to do that, instead of feeling like she's making a sacrifice ... that person is rare, and when you find them, never let them go; you may never find another friend like her. 

Here's a big shout out to the girl who's traveled with me from 5th grade to our last semester of college! I wouldn't be the person I am without her influence, and I'm more thankful to her than I can ever articulate. If you find yourself without a friend that fits these characteristics, check out my article next week; we're going to take a look at friendships ... the good, the bad, and the ugly.