I have some of the greatest friends in the world. I know everyone says that, but that does not make it any less true. I value each friendship more than those individuals will ever know. The most unique things about each is how different they are from each other. My friends are not all similar at all and that is a tremendous blessing.
They come with the most wonderful personalities and all make me a better person in a different way. Each brings such important quirks to the world and I must say that I wish everyone were able to know and understand my friends as I do. In honor of the most incredible human beings that I know, here is a list of each type of friend I have. I value them each equally and none with more love than the next.
To the friend that puts everyone’s happiness above hers: We appreciate it. And I know for a fact it is not said as often as it should be, but thank you. Without even asking, you put others above yourself and work to assure everyone is happy, even if you are not. I love this about you and I do notice. I am grateful to be your friend because not only are you fun to be around, but you have such a huge heart. A heart different than most and this makes your friendship incomparable.
To the friend that tells it like it is: thank you. This is one of the biggest things we have in common and we have no issue telling each other what the other is doing wrong and how dumb they will end up looking. I have never once been mad about this quality. Did I always agree and listen? Of course not and I’ll continue to make the same ol’ mistakes, but I know you are always right. I hear you, I just need to make my own mistakes.
To the forced friends: I realize this sounds quite weird, but this goes for anyone that was automatically present when I was born and has been around for as long as I can remember. Basically our parents are best friends, so naturally we are as well. You posses a special friendship quality: Time. We have grown together. Gone through every weird stage of life together and we love to laugh about it to this day. You knew me when I was 10 with braces and we are just as great of friends now as we were then.
To the best friend that I spent everyday with and that changed: Every friendship progresses and as we get older life changing things happen. Our lives change and we have less time to spend together. That in no way, shape, or form means that the friendship has changed. We used to spend every single day together and did every possible thing together, and now, we don’t. Guess what though? The time spent together now is exactly the same as it was before. This is the quality I love about this friendship. Nothing changes. We can talk about the same awkward things and it be completely normal. Life changes, friendship does not.
To the friend I don’t need to entertain: We can sit in a room together and not speak a single word to each other. We are just content to be in each other’s company. We feel no need to make sure the other is not bored because each other’s presence is enough to assure no boredom. We have spent such a vast amount of time together that there does not need to be a constant conversation. We know what the other thinks and it’s more like sisters at this point.
To the friend that loves to go out: I love this. This isn’t my “party friend;” don’t make that mistake. She is much more than that, but she loves to go out and have a great time. We are at the same point in our lives and we like to spend our time in a similar manner. We’re young and we have fun together. That’s what we should be doing at this point in our lives. Plus, this is going to make for great stories later in life.
To the friends I just made this year: I have never claimed to be someone who makes friends easy. I often say, “I have plenty of friends. I don’t need any more.” But you all became important enough to change my mind. We are similar in many ways and right now we are still getting to know each other, but I already appreciate your friendship more than you’ll ever know.
To the friend that is my opposite: We see things differently and our personalities are completely opposite. Don’t we all need that though? It creates a type of balance. When I am too much of something, she is there to level it out because she is too little of it. I always believe that you want someone similar to you in a significant other because you will have to agree on things to build a life together, but not for a best friend. I like to think the term “opposites attract” should be used in friendship only. It is easy to agree to disagree with someone you will not have to eventually raise a child with.
To the friend that only wants the best for me: I have always thought of you as my friend that is “always on my side.” Whatever I want to do and think is best, so do you. You plan to support any decision I make and that will never change. You speak up if necessary, but for the most part you believe that I will make the right choice.
To my friend that is protective of me: Again, a big thank you to you. You have seen my tears, heard me complain, and seen me at my worse. You will state what is best and do everything possible to assure that I do not end up hurt. My wrong choices make you mad and I always end up with a well deserved, “I told you so.”
To all of my dear friends: You are loved, oh-so-loved, with a never-ending love. I value your friendship. I am grateful for time spent, conversations, memories, arguments, and everything to come. There really is not another group of crazy individuals that I would rather spend my time with. You all know who are and you know the immense amount of love and gratitude. Goodness, do I appreciate everything you all do. I am a rather difficult person to live with and you all hang around, so thank you. I am blessed to have you all.
Love always.
