From a young age, even before we have the ability to utter a word, we begin to form bonds with others. Whether it is a bond with your mother and father, an older sibling, extended family member, or even a favorite toy that remains in your crib. Before posses the ability to take our first step, we know what it is like to cherish something.

Just the other day, while walking to grab a much-needed cup of coffee with a friend, something hit me. It hit me that, a big part of who I am today has a great deal to do with the remarkable group of people that, I surround myself with each and everyday. Aside from family, who I love and cherish more than anything in this world, I realized that my some of my nearest and dearest friends have played an instrumental role in my growth, my success, and have helped me through some of the difficult times in my life.

It was not until going away to college and meeting a whole new group of remarkable people, while taking a look back at and pondering the memories made with my friends from back home that I truly gained the real significance of friendship.

It often blows my mind that just one person can drastically enhance my mood, pick up on what is bugging me, and most of all, always be there for me whenever I am in need. Just the other day, as I thought back on one of the jokes that my friend shared with the group, the prompted us all to break out into peels of laughter, I thought about how lucky and truly blessed I am to have these people in my life who I do not only consider friends, but I consider family.

I can truly stand behind the saying “friendship is one of the most powerful forces in the world.”