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Caring, actively listening, having your back while you watch their front, always giving you an honest answer whether you want it or not, adventure, wisdom, playing video games from 4 in the afternoon to 3 in the morning…
watching the NBA Finals, losing in games of one on one basketball (a lot), drunken karaoke nights, bottomless mimosas, road trips across the country, lazy days at the beach, snowball fights in winter, study buddies, first date advice, being a shoulder to cry on when they go through a breakup…
sharing in the excitement when he proposed, early morning workouts, tailgating at the first home game, night before the important interview pep talks, heart to heart conversations that involve crying – all sorts of crying, vulnerability…
backpacking through the Amazon, proms, fighting over something silly and laughing about it years later, going shot for shot and regretting it, holding their head over the toilet while they throw up, being nice to their partner even though you cannot stand them, never saying “I told you so” even when you desperately want to…
borrowing clothes, hanging out during long layovers at the airport, Vegas trips, graduations, book clubs, dinner parties, photos, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, binge watching The Wire, moving to San Francisco with them after college graduation, helping them move, debates about who is the best rapper…
embracing their differences, sticking up for them when they are with you and when they are not, knowing what to say when they had a bad day and what kind of wine makes them smile, vacations, double dates, slumber parties and sleep overs, calling their parents Mom and Dad…
being honest about their new hairstyle, supporting them on their big move out of state, remaining a friend when they come out, being an ally in the fight against racism, sexism, and homophobia, sticking by them when they admit to you they are an addict, supporting them by any means necessary, celebrating their sobriety, meeting them and becoming instant friends…
Coachella, Burning Man, learning about their culture, pigging out on buffalo wings, engagement parties, bridal showers, going with them as they pick up the ring, helping her pick out the wedding dress, bachelor parties, bachelorette parties, calming them down during the wedding day, the best man speech, the maid of honor speech, baby showers, becoming a godparent, naming your child after them…
being with them at their worst, celebrating them at their best, shopping trips, experiencing sorority rush week together and laughing about it after, quoting Goodfellas all day, high school reunions, traveling through Europe in the summer…
yoga class, falling out, getting back together, keeping them in your heart when they pass, and cherishing everyday you can call them a “friend.”
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Photo Credit: Getty Images