What It Truly Means To Be A Friend

Dedicated to my friends near and far. Regardless of the distance, know that I carry you in my heart always.

I recently messed up big time with one of my best friends. We had one of those messy fights where you both say things in anger while also crying endless streams of tears. Although things are mostly better now (a bag of Sour Patch Kids and admitting where I went wrong helps smooth things over), the whole event caused me to think a lot about friendship and what it means.

Friendships have always been a struggle for me, though I’m not entirely sure why. I’m incredibly thankful for my small circle, though, and I hope to never lose this tribe that helps me feel like I finally found the place where I belong. Therefore, I think that it’s important to consider what being a true friend really means.

It means being present for the good times… and the bad. You’re there for the fun nights at the club as well as the boring days of just staring at the ceiling. You live for the laughter and hold them tightly through the tears. No matter what happens, being a true friend means walking through it all hand-in-hand, and conquering the world together. 

It’s answering late-night text messages and sending little cards just because. You always care, and you show it in actions big or small. You never forget important events like birthdays, but also remember seemingly insignificant milestones like that “viral” photo on Instagram. Being a true friend means celebrating all the victories together and cheering each other every moment along the way.

It means holding on tightly… but knowing when to give them space. You’re there for whatever is needed, but understand that sometimes what your friend needs most is some time alone. You’re respectful of their boundaries and listen to their needs. Being a true friend means never really leaving their side, even in those days of silence before you speak again.

It’s inside jokes and silent communication. You’ve got their body language down, and often know what they’re thinking before they say it. You can go nearly anywhere and find a reason to laugh, even in the most difficult of circumstances. Being a true friend means having a connection that defies logic, and sometimes looks like insanity to the outside world.

It means knowing when to give advice… and when to simply listen. You know when your friend is fishing for an answer or when they just need you to say, “Oh, love, I know.” You’ve got amazing comebacks, but also loving arms. Being a true friend means putting their needs before your own while always lending a helping hand.

It’s awkward questions and innocent cuddles. Your friend can ask you anything, and rarely feels guilty for sharing TMI. You can crawl in each other’s arms without feeling anxious or questioning anything. Being a true friend means knowing almost everything about each other without judgement or worry.

It means having each other’s back… but also being brutally honest. You’re willing to burn buildings for them, and you trust them to call you out on your sh*t. You know you’ll always have each other during brutal breakups, or when you’ve got something stuck in your teeth. Being a true friend means accepting each other exactly as you are while both lifting each other up to be the best that you can be.

But, most importantly, true friends love each other unconditionally.

Forever and always. No matter what.

If you’re reading this, and you’re my friend, I promise to always give you this and so much more. You’re entirely irreplaceable and incredibly important in my life. I know that I don’t always deserve your friendship, but thank you for giving it anyway… even when you don’t have to. I love you an immeasurable amount, and can’t thank you enough for loving me, too. I’ll never take your friendship for granted, and hope to always show you the great friend I can truly be.

Cheers to the years we’ve spent together, and looking for a lifetime of love and laughter, and even a few tears.

Megan Glosson

Megan Glosson is a freelance writer from Murfreesboro, Tennessee. You can learn more about Megan by visiting http://meganglosson.com/.

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