What is a friend?

Seems like an easy enough question to answer right?  All of us have friends that we talk to every day, socialize with either in person, on the phone or on the web.  Hell, some of us still write actual letters.  When you really start to think about it though, it isn't that easy.  There are a lot of things that can define a friend and for each of us, it is likely very different.

I have had the pleasure of calling a few people "friend", the longest of which is going on nearly 28 years.  I meet new people every day, some come, some go and most of them quicker than others.  It takes me a long time to identify a friend simply because I'm very gaurded.  I learned a long time ago that people you come to call friend can very quickly disappear from your life.  So, I take my time qualifying those people in my life that I think might fit the bill.

For the most part, a friend to me is someone you have built a relationship with.  It cannot be someone you just met and I know some will disagree with me, but you simply cannot determine a persons character, likes/dislikes, personality and other such qualities in just a days, much less a few hours.  A true friend is someone who's been there with you, physically or in spirit throughout some of your most difficult times and even more so, for the most beautiful events of our lives.  A friend is someone who you've not spoken to in 6 months, but you can stop by or pick up the phone and it was just like you spoke to them yesterday.  They are one of the first people you think of when something funny happens, or when you need someone to lean on.

A friend will not only help move your house for the 7th time, they stay the longest because they feel comforable in your surroundings.  You don't have to like the same music, books, films or TV shows, but you respect each others opinions and are genuinely interested in their thoughts and ideas.  A friend is someone you ask for guidance, even on some of the most personal things you'd never share with anyone.  There is no competition because their success is your success and it works both ways.

A friend is a friend for life.  Regardless of the hardships, disagreements or years or miles that pass between you, true friendship overcomes all of life's obstacles and is there for you always.