I love my friends. They're all some of the best human beings that I've ever met in my life. Something I realized about myself and how I interact with my friends is that I am fiercely, fiercely loyal and just a tad (or very) overprotective. My friends are fairly high priorities. I will do most anything I can to make sure my girls are safe and happy. If you're like me, then you understand how just seeing your friends happy can immediately boost your own happiness. If you're the protective one in your friend group, then you also understand the flip side: seeing your friends unhappy or hurt is one of the worst things on the planet. There are several situations where you just can't help but go into protective mode. Here are my reactions to some of the stresses of life when they dare to touch my girls:
1. Sickness
One of my friends this year got sick several times. Each time, I'd stop by her door several times a day to make sure she was still alive, see how she was feeling, if she needed anything, or if there was anything I could do. I even went on a campus wide search for blue Powerade (Wheaton, you need to up your Powerade game). Having a friend get sick is horrible because there is very little you can do besides make sure they're comfortable.
2. Tensions with strangers
That lady working the cashier was rude to you? Lemme at her. Who just sassed you while you were at Target for pausing in the aisle? Um, excuse me, who are you to be rude to my friends? In the words of Meghan Trainor, "Nah to the ah to the no no no." You mess with them, you mess with me - and I'm the crazy one.
3. Problems with other friends
That one friend from home that whenever your friend gets a text or phone call from, they get a look of dread? She done. Chica got another friend causing some stress or grief? Time to do some Grade-A problem solving. You know how awesome your friend is, so why do other people have to go and cause problems?
4. Family situations
Life happens, and so sometimes an unfortunate family situation comes up. Whether it be health related or conflict somewhere in the family tree, you have to do your best to relieve any stress that may build up. Whether that be helping them talk it out, or being a welcome distraction, you will do whatever you can to help make the situation better for your friend.
5. School stress
Major exam coming up for one of your mains? I've given many back rubs to help relieve some stress. Sometimes having a study buddy helps. Or being left alone for an hour or two. Running is always a great stress reliever and having a running buddy makes it easier to get out there. My personal favorite is hopping on my longboard and grabbing everyone's favorite candy from CVS or Walgreen's.
6. Any kind of interview
Interviews can be stressful. It doesn't matter what the interview is for, how easy it may or may not be- they are stressful and they are inevitable. You know how perfect for the job you friend is, even if they don't. And you're confident that their interviewer will realize how amazing they are. Yet, somehow for some strange reason, your friend still can get stressed about how they're going to do.
7. Wait... Where'd they go?
For some reason, I sometimes get stressed out when I don't know where my friends are, especially if I haven't seen them in a while. One time, my friend Madison and I fell asleep on her bed and when I woke up, she was gone. I major panicked at that and proceeded to call her and her roommate, Emily (another friend who was napping on her bed when I fell asleep but was now gone), several times... Okay, so I may or may not have separation anxiety.
8. Any situation that involves waking up early
I think this past year, 9/10 times I'd wake up earlier than I had to just to double check and make sure everyone was up and going alright. I'd walk down the hall and knock on everyone's doors. Somebody's gotta check and make sure nobody is over sleeping!
9. Electronic malfunctions
Recently, one of my friends texted me saying that her water bottle exploded and destroyed her laptop, a very essential item for anyone who works or goes to school (which she does both). I immediately responded with, "What can I do to help?" I live in Florida and she's in Arizona. There is nothing I can do to help really, but that doesn't keep me from trying.
10. Exes...
They're the spawn of Satan sometimes - or sketchy like a drug dealer. Sometime they hurt your friend and sometimes, for some reason, they continue to do so (or at least try to) into the present. Do not talk to my friend, do not look at them, do not be in the same room, or else let the beat down begin.
11. Current love interests
Okay, so you've got a cute smile and you laugh at my friend's horrible jokes. How does that make you good enough for her? Assume I don't like you until stated otherwise. We've had many a conversation about you, so don't think I don't know about that time you ignored her for a week and then tried to play it off casual. #Publicenemynumber1
Needless to say, I worry about my friends a lot. I love them to pieces. They are all amazing human beings. Who doesn't worry about their friends every once in a while? A side effect of knowing someone well is that everything important to them can become important to you. Another side effect is that you start to care. Yeah, life happens, but when it does, I'll always be there to help carry the load for my friends.
