Friends

You know, friendship’s one of those things you don’t plan for. It just sort of happens when you’re not looking. My kids are starting to figure it out now, watching how life plays out. Friendship isn’t about having it easy or always agreeing—it’s about putting in the time, putting up with the bumps, and coming out the other side stronger for it.

Most of the time, it starts small, with something random. Maybe it’s a guy you met at a college party, and before you know it, you’re sharing beers and talking like you’ve known each other for years. Or maybe it’s someone you grew up with—the one who knows exactly how dumb you were as a kid but still stuck around. Or maybe it’s just someone you hit it off with over something simple, like a shared love for the same team or hobby. It doesn’t feel like much at first, but suddenly, they’re a part of your life, and it’s hard to imagine them not being there.

After family, friends are some of the most important people you’ll ever have. And in some ways, they’re even more important. Family’s tied to you by blood, but friends? Friends are tied to you by choice, and that makes them special. They’re the ones who don’t have to stick around but do anyway. They see you at your worst, call you out when you need it, and still have your back when the chips are down.

Friends give you something family sometimes can’t: a fresh perspective. They’ll tell you when you’re off base, push you to take chances, and remind you to lighten up when you’re taking life too seriously. And when the world feels like it’s falling apart, they’re there to make it feel manageable again, whether that’s cracking a joke, handing you a drink, or just showing up when you need them most. Over time, you realize friendship isn’t just something nice to have—it’s something you can’t do without.

It’s funny how it grows from there. At first, you’re just hanging out, having a good time. But then you start trusting each other, talking about things you wouldn’t tell anyone else. That’s when it shifts. It’s not just someone you share a laugh with anymore—it’s someone you’d drop everything for if they needed you.

But it’s not all easy. Sometimes you argue. Sometimes they let you down, or maybe you’re the one who drops the ball. It happens. The real ones, though? You figure it out. You get through it, and somehow, the bond is stronger because of it.

Then there are the hard times—losing someone close, struggling at work, or just feeling like life’s too much. That’s when you find out who your real friends are. They’re the ones who show up, no fanfare, no big speeches—just there, sitting beside you, letting you know you’re not in it alone.

Friendship comes in all shapes and sizes, and that’s what makes it so unique. My son asked me recently, “What kind of friends are those guys you see at lunch every year?” It got me thinking about all the different kinds of friends you gather through life and how they each bring something different to the table.

You’ve got your work friends—the ones who know when to warn you about the boss’s mood swings. Then there are skiing friends—not so much about how well anyone skis, but about the laughs, the shared chaos, and the memories that stick. There’s your Friendsgiving friends—the ones who feel like family but don’t guilt-trip you for not calling enough. Then you’ve got your sports friends—the ones you talk to during the season, swapping stories about the best plays or worst losses like it’s a ritual. There are your neighborhood friends—the ones you borrow tools from and trade beers with over backyard fences. And, of course, your old friends—the ones who’ve been around so long, they don’t just know your stories, they lived them with you.

And what about those lunch guys my son asked about? They’re all of these rolled into one. They’ve been there since the beginning, through the good, the bad, and everything in between. What matters isn’t the category—they’re the ones who stuck around.

Friendship isn’t perfect, and it’s not always easy. But it’s one of the few things that really makes life worth it. The laughs, the arguments, the late nights when the world feels a little lighter because of them—it’s all part of the deal. At the end of the day, it’s not about how it started or how often you see each other. It’s about the fact that when it matters most, they’re there. And that’s what makes it real.