What is a true friend?
Friendship—real, wholehearted, battle-tested friendship—isn’t about constant closeness or always seeing eye to eye. It’s about standing firm when the tides of life pull us in different directions. It’s about the quiet confidence that no matter how much time passes, no matter how much distance grows, the connection remains.
Isabel Allende says, “True friendship withstands time, distance, and silence.” And she’s right. A true friend isn’t just someone who shows up when it’s easy, when schedules align, and when life is smooth sailing. True friends stay tethered to your soul even when the miles stretch long and the conversations become fewer.
They don’t disappear when your paths diverge or when seasons of silence settle in. The bond doesn’t weaken because the heart never stops listening.
Friendship isn’t about perfection. We grow. We change. We mess up. We won’t always be on the same page, and we won’t always navigate life’s storms at the same time. But true friendship isn’t about being in perfect sync—it’s about the commitment to keep showing up, even when the waters are rough. It’s the courage to say, “I see you. I love you. I’m here.”
We collect many acquaintances during our journey. Not all friendships endure. That’s normal. If you escape this life with three good friends, you have succeeded beyond measure. When you find one, embrace and nurture it like the rare treasure it is.
Need a mantra for friendship? Let A.A. Milne remind you:
“If ever there is tomorrow when we’re not together… there is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we’re apart… I’ll always be with you.”
Friendship, real friendship, is the greatest gift we can give. And it is built, like all things that matter, on courage, love, and an unwavering belief in each other. At its heart is a promise—We’re in this together.
Not just when it’s convenient. Not just when it’s easy. But always.
