I think we can all agree that our friends have played extremely influential roles in our lives. Without them, we would probably still be stuck on that one guy we claimed we would never ever stop crushing on in high school. Or would most likely have woken up in a ditch somewhere the morning after a party at the end of senior year. I know I can think of an extensive amount of times I wouldn’t have lasted if it weren’t for the help of some pretty incredible people. So, here’s seven different types of friends I think most of us can relate to having, and the times you undoubtedly needed them to keep you going.

1. The guardian.

If you have not yet thanked Jesus for this friend, then stop reading this article and say a quick prayer for your guardian angel. This friend has not only helped you get in to college, but has also kept you out of the previously mentioned ditch. She stays assured that you and the rest of your friends are kept up to date on school assignments, the weekly gossip, and the times when you need to get your head out of you’re a$$. But most importantly, she will ensure that you make it home safe and sound after getting sloshed pre-pre-gaming for a concert. This friend is selfless and can be counted on by each and every person in your circle of friends.

2. The partner to your crime.

Going through a rough patch and want to hit up the club for the first time? This girl will provide you with a party bus to the club... Yeah. Okay so this friend is not quite as responsible as your guardian, but holds equally the amount of importance. She is the one you call up for absolutely anything at all. Whether you are looking for a good time or enduring a bad one, she will drop whatever she is doing to help a sista out. This friend is typically the life of the party and can make anybody’s day by simply providing her presence. She has a special talent of making you laugh even when you want to cry and is not afraid to use it.

3. The leader.

This friend was probably the student body president of your high school or something like that. She is your most responsible friend who coordinates all of the group’s plans, and can only rest when each and everybody feels included. You and your friends are so thankful for her because she is never afraid to tell anybody how it really is. You might mistake her being blunt as a form of being mean, and if so, then toughen up. You should feel grateful to have someone who cares enough to say what they are really thinking. This friend is strong-minded, and will probably end up going somewhere super prestigious, like Wake Forest or somewhere like that...

4. The one wise beyond her years.

Whenever you need to talk about anything at all, this friend is always down to tune in. Not only is she the best listener, but she will consistently follow up with sensible advice. This friend is like a wise old woman in a young adult’s body, a wishing well of intellect, and a fairy godmother of good advice. You and all your friends wonder how she became so knowledgeable and watch her in awe as she makes your troubles seemingly poof before your eyes. This girl is probably your funniest friend too; she is sarcastic as can be and doesn’t care what anybody thinks of her. She knows that staying true to herself and to those who genuinely care about her is all that really matters. You can always count on her to have your back, even when you are clearly in the wrong.

5. The free spirit.

For those days when life seems unbearable, this friend is there for you, but only about 10% of the time. As for the remaining 90%, nobody really knows where she is. However, if you are lucky enough to cross paths with her, you know that you are in for an adventure. Having spent a day with this friend, you probably ended up somewhere completely random doing something you had no intension of doing when you woke up that morning. Like skipping school to go pick flowers and feed mini-horses on the side of some old back road only she would know about. Nonetheless, you probably forgot whatever it was that made the day unbearable in the first place. This friend has the best spirit out of anybody you know, and teaches you how live life fuller and better than you ever thought possible.

6. The other half of you.

Let’s face it: This friend is stuck to you like glue. No matter what you do or where you go, this friend is always going to wind up by your side, and vice versa. She is your sister from another mister, and your better half. You two are probably opposite in many ways but, strangely enough, the same in just as many. You understand each other in a form that is hard for others to unravel, and it just works. You might end up thousands of miles apart, but distance is no match for how much you mean to each other. She is the Meredith to your Christina, and if you are a Grey’s Anatomy fanatic like I am, that statement should explain it all.

7. The bros.

You know when you just want to eat junk food, drink a beer, kick back, and chill? These girls, I mean dudes, are the ones who will do it with you. I have combined them into one because I think it’s safe to say that having two bros is better than one. Like who is going to be there to chest bump you after a touch down if the other one is out making a beer and wing run? Am I right? Ok but in all seriousness, these guys are an essential part of life. They might have provided you with Ben and Jerry’s the second after a break up or were at one point literally the only person you hung out with 24/7. These type of friends are called “your bros” for a reason. They are always coming in clutch, even if it just means hanging out and taking lame videos of each other.

I am a huge believer in thinking that people are placed in our lives for a reason, but it's our job to surround ourselves with the right ones. Our friends are a clear reflection on who we are, and who we will become. With this being said, I hope you have someone you can always count on to watch over you, especially when you need to be watched over the most. I hope you have someone who will let loose with you and bring out your best self. But make sure you have someone who is not afraid to tell you when you're being a screw up. And don’t forget your fairy godmother along the way because you will need her time and time again. Good luck finding your free spirit, and when you do, never let her go. And if you haven't found her yet, don’t even worry about finding your other half because you will inevitably find each other. Make sure to have your bros because, well, everybody needs a pair. At last, I am also a huge believer in the inevitable fact that friends come and go along the way. We are shaped and formed by these people crossing our paths, and it's up to us who we choose to surround ourselves by. We can let them either make dents and chips, or build us up higher. It’s your choice, and I hope you choose wisely.