My Friends

I know I have said it time and time again, but I love my friends. As the years have gone on, I have really "narrowed" them down to the best ones of my life. They are the cream of the crop, the ones that will last me a lifetime, my kindred spirits and confidants. I love each and every one of them.

I once thought that friendships were defined by the number of years I knew them or the quantity of knowledge they had over my past and intimate thoughts. But I have learned in the past two years that isn't the case. Friends are the ones who don't need to know your innermost thoughts, your secrets, and certainly don't need to have been there through every second of it. True friends see your soul and know your core being without needing a resume. That's special. That quality is the one that is hard to find.

Someone who doesn't need to hear painful details of your past to understand every detail and emotion. Someone who can hear so much in the silence. Someone who puts you up on their shoulders in the good times, and lends a tissue during the bad. Someone whose qualities make you a better person. Someone who is a better person because of you. Someone who is worthy of the term "friend."

I have found those people. And each of them has a different quality that drives me. My best friends are, in every sense of the word, the best. [IN NO ORDER]

My Bleeding Heart: The one who has the ability to put my emotions into an outward expression - something I cannot do myself. The one who has taught me so much and continues to teach me. The one who opened my eyes to what a mutual friendship is. The one who softens my edges.

My Nurse: The one who understands my career passion. The one who gets me in so many ways without me having to explain. The one who makes me want to set more goals and accomplish them. The one who knows exactly what she wants and where she's heading.

My Clone: The one who can finish my sentences. The one that can fight so hard and love so hard with me and still remain my best friend. The one who always speaks the truth, even when I don't want to hear it. The one who knows me well enough to know when I am out-of-character.

My Reporter: The one who is realistic. The one who is never afraid to speak her mind and always brings a perspective to the table I have never considered. The one who, even living so far away, manages to remain in touch - a trait I did not know even existed. The one I always want in my corner fighting my battles with me.

My Big Sister: The one who has taught me how to be more than a sister, but a friend. The one who shows me what it's like to conquer your goals when there are huge obstacles in the way. The one who demonstrates integrity and would not compromise that for anything or anyone. The one who has taught me how to fit in with my family.

My Rock: The one who lets me bounce ideas off of her in the best ways. The one who helps me solve my problems and brings news ideas to the conversation to really make me think. The one who succeeds in everything but exhibits the traits of a humble human being. The one I can have the most intense grown-up conversations with and walk away with more clarity.

My Speech Pathologist: The one who is just as old-fashioned as me, and in most cases is even more so. The one who is so naturally beautiful inside and out. The one who knows how to keep a conversation going and always has interesting things to add to any conversation. The one who struggles but triumphs, works hard and succeeds, and shows me there is always a way to better yourself.

My Meteorologist Nurse Meteorologist Nurse: The one who can always make me smile on the toughest days. The one who reminds me that life is not always as serious as I make it. The one who makes me feel like I can be myself around her in every situation. The one who shows me that life can be fun and dreams can constantly change, but that it'll all end up the way it should in the end.