Friends

I just finished reading a book, "Frenemies," by Megan Crane. I had never heard of the author before, but happened to find the book in the bargain section at a Barnes & Noble not too long ago. I read the book in about 2 and a half days. I probably could have read it much faster if it weren't for that annoying responsibility called work.

The book was funny and insightful. I truly enjoyed reading it. I could relate to the main character Gus. She was approaching 30 and still in need of some serious maturing. At the younger age of 24, I have that same feeling. The need to grow up and move on from all the petty and useless "high school" drama. At the same time, 24 is not the age to turn into some old maid. I am still young and am still looking to have fun and experience life.

In the book, she talks about the different people and friends in her life and it got me to thinking about mine. I have been truly blessed with some of the most amazing people. Friends have come and gone, but at the end of the day, the ones who matter, the ones who want me in their lives as much as I want them in mine are still there. I know that I can call and we can pick up where we left off. We can talk for hours about everything and anything.

There are the friends who have been around for years. There are the friends who are more recent, but just as important to me and my sanity. Then there are the "friends." The people who I consider friends, but who are more like acquaintances. A lot of the people who land in this category are high school friends. The ones who when we see each other we are happy and excited for the pseudo-reunion, but at the end of the night they are already a distant memory. There's no immediate rush to see them again. That's not to say that there aren't old friends who do spark that old flame, the ones who I do want to see again and get to know all over again. Those are the long lost friends. They took a small hiatus, but comforably can fall back into my world again.

There are so many different kinds of friends and even the "frenemies." Those are the people who are all hugs and kisses to your face, but you know that as soon as your back is turned they couldn't care less about you. It's a friendship of convenience. And you know what? There's nothing wrong with that. Because I can't think of a single person who hasn't been that "friend" to someone else. There are just those people who are still in our lives, even when we don't know the exact reason. So we call them friends, but never lose sight of who our true friends are.

Our true friends are the friends that are there day in and day out, through the good times and the bad. The ones who love us for who we are and can look past our annoying and bad habits, big and small. They are the ones who can turn to us for anything and we can do the same in return. They are the ones who ask us why we even continue to keep those pesky "frenemies" around. To which we answer honestly, "I don't know." And despite our poor judgement at times, they love us anyway. I am so grateful for those friends in my life.

These are the friends who are no longer just friends to me.

They are family.