To Friendships

This one is to friends. To those real ones. Those sincere and honest ones. Those friends that wouldn't mind talking to you at 3 in the morning when you are feeling down. Those friends that will recognize the sorrow in your smile. Maybe they won't say anything about it, but will make you feel better. They will try, at least.

As a child I was very outgoing and talkative (I still am, for the record). I had a lot of friends. We will all gather in some corner of the street or in someone's house and play for hours. I have childhood friends that once upon a time I used to share the bed, food, clothes with. Most of them are now strangers to me. I mean, of course we will greet each other when we occasionally meet, but you don't feel the connection anymore. That childhood serenity that once made you swear that you will be friends forever. 

And then high-school happens. And you make some new friends. Class mates that you spend the whole day with. You hang out on weekends. Go out with them. They are the witnesses of your first love. First cigarette. First drunken night out. First curfew breach. A lot of firsts. 

And then, life happens. It is either college, work, moving out, moving in. You get in romantic relationships. And get out of them. You enroll as a full time student. Or get a job. As time passes by, you find yourself 27 years old, reflecting on (almost) all friends you've had throughout the years and everything you believed you will succeed in doing. Most of those friends are strangers now. Some are engaged, married, pursuing a career, having kids. And having no free time to sit with you for a cup of coffee.

Still, there are those rare ones. That come into your life unannounced. And once they are in, they aren't leaving. They stick. Through bad and good. Sometimes they might be miles away. Or, sometimes you won't get to see them in a long time. And when you get to see them again, it's like they have never left. Like they've been there the whole time. Those are the ones that will put a smile on your face, joy in your heart and conquer you in the most unconventional and unintentional way.

This one is to the friends. To those real ones. Those sincere and honest ones. Those friends that wouldn't mind talking to you at 3 in the morning when you are feeling down. Those friends that will recognize the sorrow in your smile. Maybe they won't say anything about it, but will make you feel better. They will try, at least.

Here is to you, my friends.