True Friendship

"Blood is thicker than water."
--English proverb

That just does not sit right with me. It is a concept that I have been struggling with and hopefully by the end of this post I'll have it figured out. Family is to be loved, but are friends that far from being family?

I find the term 'friend' inadequate when describing the relationship between two people. I could have a friend that I have grown to love, understand, and would entrust my life to, but I also have 'friends' on Facebook that I have seen once in my life and it would take me several minutes just to recall their names. Friendships form for various reasons, here are the ones I can think of:

• A shared past. A person may be your only living connection to cherished memories. You two may travel on separate paths now but remain close due to a life you shared before.
• A common lifestyle. A person who has hobbies, activities or is involved in a career similar to yours can be reason enough to lead to a strong friendship.
  
• A similar personality. Someone you feel you knew before you met them. A person who's past experiences, upbringing and limitless other factors have created a personality that you can relate to immediately on many levels.

But there is clearly something more to friendship than what I have stated above. I believe, that regardless of how friendships are formed, true friendships, the kind that are strong and everlasting, can only be attained if there is a mutual desire to:

• Trust - Forms the foundation. Without trust, no form of true companionship can be established.
  
• Support - Confirms the relationship. In times of need, those who stay by our side are those we can truly call friends.
  
• Entertain - Sustains the relationship. Trust and support may prove sincerity, but it is the act of sharing the daily joys and activities of life that reinforces an everlasting friendship.

Friends that fit all three of these friend factors are individuals I can compare with family. These people have chosen to trust, support and entertain. Family is a bond by chance, friendship is one by choice. And for that reason, family members and friends that fit my description of a true friend are made of stuff that is thicker than blood or water.