Today is dubbed “National Best Friend Day”, which really made me think about what the definition of a best friend is.
As you grow up, you meet so many people. Your best friend in nursery school, the kids you play with in the neighborhood, your teammates on your sports teams…so do you truly have just ONE best friend?
Some of your friends from these formidable years are easier than others to continue a friendship with, whether it is because your parents are friends as well, you go to the same schools, or you are in the same neighborhood.
As you get older and choose your path for your career and your own family, new friends enter into your life while other friends may fizzle away.
There are the friends that you talk to every day and they practically know what you had for each of your meals, why your son had a temper tantrum that day, etc. Then there are the friends that you talk to every now and then. Time goes by, maybe months, but then you catch up on a phone call or via email and it’s as if time never passed between your last chat.
I am thankful to have a GREAT support system of friends (and family, but we’re talking about friends today), near and far. I met my first ever best friend was when I was three years old living on Long Island. She was, and still is, a spitfire. Stacy taught me how to ride my bicycle and got me addicted to pretzels and Pathmark iced tea. We collected stickers and stamps together, loved Donald Duck, and had countless sleepovers. We loved our trips to Cheap John’s, where we’d stock up on candy and other nicknacks. I’m so glad to have her in my life today. We talk here and there, mostly by text or Facebook, and each and every time we chat it is as if no time has passed and she’s still living a block and a half away. AND she still cracks me up. To the point that people look at me weird because I’m sitting in a car on the way to the airport and just bust out laughing from something she texted me.
I am thankful for all of my friends, from way back when through today. Whether they “hang around for a little while” or “stay by my side for the long haul”, I feel that there is a reason they crossed my path. (Some I am still wondering a bit about LOL, I’ll get back to you on those.)
I’m renaming today “National Best FriendS Day”. Call, text, email, Snapchat, Facebook message, send smoke signals – to your best friends today and tell them how much they mean to you!
Kate says
Great post! I have many best friends! I shared some shareable quotes on my blog today for National Best FriendS Day!
Dana says
Thanks Kate! I’m going to check out your quotes now 🙂
Donna Ward says
I do have one best friend – all of my others are great frends and many really awesome business friends – Great idea National Best Friends’ Day
Chelsie says
I feel very fortunate that I met my best friend when I was in high school and that she has very much remained my very best friend. When I got sick and lost my hair, Juli shaved her hair off so that I wouldn’t be the only bald 16 year old. We’ve made huge efforts to be at each other’s weddings, I once drove four hours to her college for a two day weekend after a bad break up and she has come to every important doctor’s appointment in my life. We can go for weeks without talking and then chat for hours like no time has passed between us! Super blessed
Dana says
Chelsie, it sounds like you are super blessed as is Juli! I love to hear these stories…xo
Laura says
I am a lucky lady and have a gaggle of gals who I love like sisters. Each one has brought me so much joy and left me with life lessons. I grew up without sisters, but spent my life choosing my own.
Of course, I have one partner in crime who is my other-me. The one girl I honestly don’t know how I could get through my days without. We exchanged ugly-face snapchats today in honour of being best friends… of course we do that most day’s anyway.
here’s to the best of friends 🙂
Dana says
Laura, that’s awesome. You explained why I have more than one best friend in a nutshell – “Each one has brought me so much joy and left me with life lessons.” You sound like a lucky lady, as are the ladies that surround you 🙂
Liz @ I Heart Vegetables says
Haha I definitely have more than one best friend (it’s funny that having a “best” best friend in elementary school was such a big deal!)
Dana says
Liz, I remember those days! We’d write our names and then BFF or even BFFL, all over everything!
Brooke Knipp says
I’m an only child and I’ve always attributed the great friendships I have to that. Always wishing for a sister, and yet when I really look at it, I have a number of best friends who for all day-to-day intents and purposes are my sisters!
Dana says
Awww, that’s perfect Brooke!!
Alissa Mags says
I do have one best friend. I met her in high school. We don’t really see each other though cuz she’s busy and she’s not the texting kind of girl. When we see each other though, oh it’s so fun!
Dana says
Isn’t it great that when you do get to see each other, it’s like old times!?
Erica says
I totally agree – I don’t have just one bestie in my life. I have a really close circle of girlfriends that whom I have been friends with for years who all would qualify for the title.
Erica
http://www.pumpsandpushups.com
Dana says
I feel the same way Erica!
Alanna @ Alanna and Co says
I have two best friends. I used to be in a sorority throughout college through and I had MANY many best friends then, but we’ve drifted apart since then.