*I would like to dedicate this article to my friends, old and new. I love y’all, so much!
It is an amazing feeling to know that there are other people in this world that we can relate to. Everyone has that one person or group of people with whom they have the best time of their lives, and they make your life so much better. That is exactly how I feel about my friends! Laughing comes easy, and I don’t just mean giggling. I’m talking about the type of laughter where you start to cry. The days get shorter, the nights get longer and you realize that these are the people that you want in your life, forever! The reason why is because of the connection that is made when we make new friends. Often times those connections go so much deeper than just having the same favorite color or liking the same types of food. You find that your best friends don’t have the exact same taste as you do, and that is when the lightbulb comes on. You realize that you and your best friends are connected spiritually, mentally, and emotionally. For example, maybe you and your friends go to the same church or you all can just look at each other and know what the other is thinking. The fundamental things that make you different are what ultimately bring you together and it is the most beautiful thing in the world. Those are the friendships that last a lifetime, and even when disagreements happen, those friends will always be there and will always have your back.
I just recently experienced this with new friends. Every day, they make life better and a little sweeter and I owe them for it. I look forward to seeing them and laughing with them and I thank God for bringing them into my life. Even though it hasn’t been years, like with other friends, they have each taught me a lesson on how to become a better friend. They inspire me to listen more, love more, pray more and laugh more. Everyone needs that! Yes, family can be wonderful, but it’s nothing like being able to relate to people who not only understand you, but are willing to push you forward and encourage you to be a better person. Friendship is the most important experience we can have in life because of the encouragement, laughter and sometimes disagreements that occur. Friendships make us better and stronger! If your friendships don’t do that for you, then my advice would be to find new friends.
To my friends, thank you for making me better and pushing me to be the person God created me to be. Thank you for laughing with me and encouraging me to keep going when I feel the need to give up. Thank you for letting me be weird and clumsy! And thank you most of all for the advice and criticism that you all give me in order for me to continue growing as a person. I love doing life with you guys and I am so excited for where the future takes us.
Love,
Shay