My father used to tell me all the time:

"If you live at least half of your life, with one true friend, you are a very lucky person."

All these years later, I realize the truth to those words. I don't think a truer set of words, could ever be spoken to me, the way these did. Inside I would think to myself, that's not true!

How could someone live their whole life, and not have one true friend. Well, truth be told, a good friend is pretty rare to find.

I am however, lucky enough to have quite a few amazing friends in life. Words can't even begin to describe the gratitude I have, for each and every friend in my life.

Here's my list of friends you may be missing out on

If you don't have a friend who:

1) Drags you out to a zombie walk in the pitch black of downtown Newport, R.I. who convinces you to take an Uber home with her, only to discover there is no Uber in Newport at 3 A.M. in the pouring pain....you are missing out

2) Invites you over for family dinners because you are part of his/her family...you are definitely missing out (brownie points if there's wine drinking involved)

3) Calls you to randomly come over and play Cards Against Humanity

4) Fights the long-haired hairy viking in your British Literature course with you every-time he belts out any misogynistic comments (even if he doesn't...you just know it's coming..)

5) Calls bullshit for what it is... and sticks up for you, when you are too weak and too tired to fight back (or just because he/she is protective...you are their best friend no questions asked...

6) Reminds you to take care of yourself, especially when you have just totally spaced out the need to take a night off and veg out with Hulu and your cat.

7) Tells you to stop freaking out about that bad test grade, and reminds you that nothing is ever permanent, when you need it the most.

8) Bad breakup? chances are he/she is coming over with a bottle of whisky and just sits down and listens to every word, giving you advice but letting you mourn...you've got three days and she's coming back...

9) Supports you! You got an A on that paper you put so much work in? he/she congratulates you, you got a new fancy job? guarantee they will be the first in line to say how proud they are of you, wrote and published an article? you bet your ass they are the first to share it and say they are your best friend....and vice versa.

10) You're moving and need help...he/she is the first to offer to help, then they run out and grab you Chinese food and wine while you ice your knee...because you know...you just had to fall down the stairs... they take you to the ER, but not before they dress up your mannequin and write subliminal messages to your neighbors to place in the windows...

11) They call you up and tell you they are stopping by with a surprise (a painting they drew themselves) a housewarming gift!

12) They tell you the newest coupon deals, and teach you the way coupon queen

13) Years later, even though you both ever have time to talk and live thousands of miles away, your friendship is just the same as it was where you left off

14) They respect your decisions, even if they don't get it, or don't like it.

15) They join things with you like student clubs or student senate....because you asked them to and they know it means a lot to you, that you care about their progress and success just as much

16) Admits with you, that they also had a crush on Raphael (the ninja turtle, yes)

17) You can talk candidly about your sex life and know he/she will do the same and not judge at all

18) Dyes your hair for you, while you curl her hair

19) Takes your child in with their children for a night on a last minute whim emergency, your kid is like their kid

20) Stays with you in the hospital, even though you are scared and tired. They pick fights with the nurses and doctors if you are not being treated right and advocate for you. They bring you pants and flowers and iced coffee or just sit on your bed and do makeup with you and talk about everything...

I am lucky enough to have all these types of friends. That makes you one of the luckiest people in the world, if you also have friends like mine.When it all comes down to it, nothing of material value is worth anything. I know for damn sure, that living your life with all the material things only patches up a void temporarily like a band-aid, but sooner or later, someone is going to pull that band-aid off your skin and take chunks of you with them.

Learn to open yourself up more, be more accepting of others, embrace your friendships and express your gratitude for them, never take anything for granted, and always do good and dream big.

If you have a friend, like any of the ones that I have...share this article and tag them in it...tell them you love them and appreciate them for who they are. Who knows tomorrow?