I remember being picked on when I was younger.
During those times, I would look around at all the girls that had a lot of friends and dream about the day I would have a best friend. My 11-year-old heart yearned for a girl that would be more like me—a little awkward but fun to be around.
My mom promised me that she had a built-in best friend for me, my little sister. I thought my mom had lost her mind. We argued all the time. How could she be a best friend?
A few years passed, and I finally found my first true best friend in middle school. Suddenly my life was so much better. I wanted to go to school every day to see her, and as my 11-year-old son said, “A best friend makes me a little bit happier.” And that’s what she did.
A couple of years passed, and I had to move schools and start over again. Starting over meant getting picked on and not having friends. (Remember this was before we could stay in contact with social media.) Until one day, I met my second best friend. Come to find out; we had met before in a serendipitous meeting at Chuck E Cheeses. She’s the one I dreamed about when I thought of having a best friend. She was nice enough to introduce me to her best friend, and the three of us have become inseparable. 30 years later, and we are still best friends.
Adult Best Friends
Seasons in life happen and with seasons come change. You get married and start a family, and sometimes you and your friends drift apart. Don’t be sad because this is the time you can make NEW best friends. These are your adult best friends.
The ones you share the nitty-gritty with those not-so-fun real-life problems you didn’t have back when you were younger.
Even if they are having a bad day, they will pick up the phone to listen to you vent about your latest debacle. Because in a couple of weeks, you will be the one on the end of the phone listening to her talk about the craziness that is going on in her life.
A best friend is someone that has a picture of you on the toilet that your kid took as your profile picture. They are the person you know will be honest when you send them a selfie asking how you look. She understands if it takes you a week to answer a text, because she’s being pulled in 100 different directions, and she knows you will call her if you need her right away.
Life goes on. If you finally have found your family unit, you will more than likely be around your significant other a lot more, and then they (hopefully) become a best friend.
As time passes and your children get older, they now have the ability to get the VIP card. That card allows them to move into the Parent-Child Best Friend circle. That’s the best. No, I am not talking about being best friends with your 10-year-old daughter. I’m talking about ADULT children.
But it doesn’t stop there.
Best friends come in different shapes and sizes.
And by that, I mean it could be someone you met when you were younger, a coworker, spouse, parent, sibling, or even moms from Pensacola Mom Collective. There is no definition or set rules on how someone can be a best friend. That’s why it’s kind of neat. You can make up the rules as you go.
Some best friends are once-in-a-lifetime friends. You may only have one best friend or be lucky enough to have many best friends. Whatever the case, be sure to reach out to that special friend TODAY and let them know that you are thankful for them today and every day.
I asked my 12 and 11-year-old: What does it mean to you to have a best friend?
- It makes me a little bit happier. If I’m sad, I can go to my best friend, and they make me happier.
- Someone you can talk to. Someone you can laugh with.
I think that sums it up.
A best friend is someone that makes you happier and makes you a better person, and it’s most definitely someone you can laugh with.
If you made it this far, I’m happy to say my little sister and I are best friends.
I guess mom was right after all.
I have been blessed with so many BEST friends in my life and could spend the entire day telling you about them, but I won’t. Because I know you need to reach out to your best friends and let them know how much they mean to you.
