Webster defines frienship as the state of being friends.
A friend is one attached to another by affection or esteem.

I have been thinking a lot about friends and friendship lately. Everyone looks for something different in their friends, but one thing that is always on the list is loyalty. Someone who will be there - always. Someone who, no matter the circumstances, knows exactly what you need to do or hear to help you through it.

I've been told (like I mentioned in my previous post) that I have high standards, and that goes for everyone, not just dating. Don't get me wrong, I don't want/expect people to change to be in my life. Not at all. I have a "come as you are" philosophy, but,(and this isn't the word I want but...) if you want to "earn" a place in my life, you can't just be anybody. You have to be someone.

Someone who...

• is honest
• is loyal
• doesn't pull any punches
• shows me the best and worst qualities in myself
• helps me through tough situations
• challenges me to be better
• loves me for me
• loves me enough to keep me moving forward
• makes me laugh like no one else
• holds me when I cry
• leaves me speechless
• I can talk to about the most stupid, superficial stuff, and five minutes later have the deepest, most thought-provoking conversation of my life
• lets me drop my guard (without even realizing it)
• makes me try new things
• doesn't say "I told you so"
• allows me to ask stupid questions but knows my intelligence isn't limited to them
• who has the same expectations of me

I know it's "unfair" to have the expectations that books, television, and movies have for friendship. I mean, I become so attached to these characters that I seriously feel like I'm their friend. And when it's over, I feel like a part of me is missing. Isn't that stupid and foolish of me?

• Cory and Shawn
• Will and Grace
• Buzz and Woody
• Samwise and Frodo
• Pooh and Piglet
• Frog and Toad
• Spongebob and Patrick
• Shawn and Gus
• Marlin and Dorey
• Ross, Rachel, Phoebe, Joey, Monica, and Chandler
• Rose, Sophia, Dorothy, and Blanche
• Lucy and Ethel
• Laverne and Shirley (don't forget Lenny and Squiggy!)

All of these relationships have different stories. Some of these have been lifelong relationships while others had rocky starts. Some knew each other their whole life while others were "chance encounters". And they each brought something different to the table. They balance each other. They're good for each other. Yeah, there are arguments, disagreements, feelings hurt, hearts broken...and it's not always resolved by the end of the program or book. Realistic views on frienships. Oil and water. Night and day. Lightning and swimming pools. Total opposites, but without them, the other wouldn't be complete.

Where are these kind of people at? I don't care what you think of my expectations. I really don't. There is WAY too many shallow, only-there-when-it's-convenient friends out there and I'm sick of it. So, yeah, if you could just help me out there, Lord, I'd appreciate it. :)