As I looked around my room, my mind was going everywhere trying to figure out what to write my article about this week. But, as I looked up at my pictures hanging on my wall, I couldn’t help but smile. The pictures reminded me of how lucky I am to have some of the best friends in my life. So what could be better than writing an article about how to know when you’ve finally found the right friends to surround yourself with?
Growing up, you without a doubt are going to go through multiple friend groups. Maybe it’s a new one every school year, or every couple of months or even every week. I know for me, it took me quite a while to find my forever friends, honestly, not until my junior year of high school did I truly realize who was going to be there for me through thick and thin. But no matter how long it took me to find them, I wouldn’t have found them without all the other friends in between. Of course, I know I am still growing up, and am still going to meet plenty of new people and find even more forever friends throughout college and even afterward, however here are some things that made me know my friends were here to stay.
1. They Bring out the Best in You
It is very true when people say you turn into the people that you surround yourself with. Sometimes, your attitude and behavior can change for the worse if you aren’t hanging around the right crowd. You start to forget who your true self is and begin to turn into someone you truly aren’t. When you have found the right friends though, you shouldn’t have to change a thing about yourself. The friends you surround yourself with should always be bringing out your best qualities no matter what.
2. They Listen
No matter the issue, whether your venting about a fight you had with your parents or talking about your boy crush for the millionth time, a true friend is always there to listen. If your upset about something, they want to be there for you and know what’s making you sad, mad and even happy. They help with the bad news and celebrate the good news. Even when they haven’t been in a similar situation as you, they always offer their best advice in hopes to help you with your dilemma.
3. They Check-in on You
A good friend knows you inside and out, and they know when something isn’t right with you. Whether it be you not talking to them as often, or they know you’ve been dealing with other personal things, a good friend will never hesitate to check in. It may be a simple “Hi, How are you?” a quick phone call or them dropping by the house. They want you to know they are thinking of you and care about your well being.
4. They Make Saying Goodbye Hard
When it comes to your best friends, they should be people you never want to be without. Therefore, just finally deciding to leave each other’s houses is hard for you because you could honestly stay in each others company forever. Considering this, when it comes time to leave for college, saying goodbye to your best friends is truly one of the hardest goodbyes ever. They are people you want to spend every moment with, and you can’t imagine making memories without them by your sides. You know they are your true friends when you feel a piece of your heart going with them as they leave you.
5. They Love You for You
Your real friends should NEVER make you change the way you are. In fact, they shouldn’t want you to change whatsoever. They should love you for your crazy dancing, your obnoxious laugh and your sarcastic humor… at least I know my best friends do. You know you’re with the right people when you feel comfortable being your complete self around them and never feel judged.
6. You Consider Them Family
The right friends are people you want to be around your family. They are people you want around at family dinner, at family parties and on family vacations. They are people you want your siblings to consider siblings, and people your parents consider their other kids. They are people who you consider a sister or brother. You love them like family, you cry with them like family, you fight with them like family and you forgive each other like family.
Over my 19 years of living, I have made many friendships and I have fallen out of many friendships. I have been a part of many friend groups, some which worked, and others which didn’t. Though I have lost some friendships, I have also kept a lot of them over time. Some, stronger than others. Some are going to last for a short time, and some are going to last hopefully until the end. To my forever friends, you know who you are, know I love you through thick and thin and I am thankful for everything you do for me. I can’t wait to see what our future holds.