Thank You to My Friends

Friendships can be hard.

I was recently looking at houses online and saw a former friend's home for sale. I looked through the pictures and remembered being in that house and friends I've had throughout the years. I thought about what they’ve taught me and the memories I have with them similar to Ariana Grande in "Thank You, Next." 

Grace has taught me to laugh more, like when we had performed stand up comedy in front of my family or when, years ago, she asked a man going door to door when her "Obama phone" would arrive.

Rose showed me to be kind and gentle as I don't always have to be extravagant and talkative to get my point across or feel heard. I learned this through conversations and her patience during an eventful day shopping.

Brandy showed me that friendships can begin in unlikely ways (like kicking each other underwater) and are able to grow apart, but resume just like the day it began whether it be hugging and crying at a football game or making snide remarks during a swim meet.

Eliza taught me to try, not just do the minimum amount of work, which encouraged me to swim my fastest and push myself.

Flora has shown me that you and your ideas are worth it, while we discussed a difficult college decision and while discussing our challenging experiences in college with friends. I also learned compassion through her going above and beyond to include a classmate and make her feel loved.

Morgan has shown me it's okay to have a friendship fluctuate, but remain, through meeting up at the same hotel during a snowy march night before a swim meet.

Chloe has shown me in college how fortunate I am and how grateful I should be for even the most simple things like my mom purchasing groceries for the family.

Melanie has taught me the ability to grow as we have been friends for so long we have grown together thus helping each other make sense of the world changing around us through secret sharing and discussing what we don't understand like tattoos and adults seeking clout.

Caroline has shown me what it looks like to be a friend while we attended poolside graduation parties, as well as how to have fun no matter where we are like during our classroom rap sessions and laughing endlessly during lit into film.

Kaia taught me how to determine which direction is left and which right by putting your hands in L's, even though I already knew my directions, but would end up forgetting them after learning this trick. I was also taught the strenuous process of forgiveness through understanding a mistake, grieving over the of a friend, understanding what could've been done differently, praying, and giving her a hug after an unexpected meeting at a swim meet.

Coco taught me to be supportive and kind. Supportive through being by each other's sides while betting on boys, emailing each other all of the time, and navigating middle school and kind through understanding the difference in going to separate high schools and choosing outfits.

Barbie taught me how to support a friend by being excited for every little thing that was important to me and how to be kind by talking and saying "Hi" as freshman year locker buddies.

Cristina taught me how to have pure, simple fun like discussing high schools, erasing each other's answers, exchanging secrets, emailing about our teacher, snapping, confusing one another, and everything else.

Sloane showed me how to be giving of one's time and self by driving to golf together and listening to my seemingly never-ending silly stories of pool patrons, class, and whatever else came out of my mouth.

Maria showed me trust in God and God's never-ending, everlasting love for us through healing from a difficult time in life, a fun friendship, and prayer to God for thanks and help.

Gretchen showed me that even the seemingly most unlikely people have struggles despite their facade, which in turn has taught me empathy. The ability to feel sadness on behalf of somebody and be friendly and loving through it all.

This is not an exhaustive list as I have had many more friends that have taught me things, but for the sake of time (maybe I should do another with even more friends) all of these friends have been compiled as they taught me one thing or another. Even though some of these friends aren't in my life any more I still unconsciously carry what they have taught me. And if they are no longer part of my life it's important to remember them and the good memories made together and be thankful for what you've experienced because they have helped you to grow. It's even okay to still miss them and maybe reach out to them if you feel like it. What I've learned from the friends I still have is that it is important to show gratitude towards them. I want to make sure they know how glad I am to have them in my life by spending time with them and so on. Having friends is one of the wonderful joys in life as you smile, laugh, talk, cry, and everything else together, all while guiding one another through life.


God Bless!

Disclaimer: All names have been redacted and replaced for anonymity reasons.