Thrive Thursday: Life long friends

This is a on going series that is posted on thursday's, to answer the question: "What helps you to thrive in your environment?" The series is written by myself, and a variety of guest Contributors. This week, life long friends are the topic of conversation.

So, not feeling great today. Something is brewing in my body (migrane? stomach reacting to new dietary changes? fatigue? maybe all of the above?), and hopefully it will be gone for tomorrow for my friday hospital rotation, and certainly the weekend. But, today's post is not going to be super long. But, the past weekend got me thinking about this topic...


we all have 'em. Those people who are "your people." the ones who get you through and through. It has been mentioned before, how great it is when a work friend, becomes an out-of-work friend. but, what of those friends who are life-long friends? to me, they are the best kind. a few years ago, after a random, hollywood-themed relationship, a work-friend said to me something that spoke to the core of my being. that people are in your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. and, my boyfriend and i see this a little differently... i have friends who i can not speak to, or see, for months. weeks. even years. but, they are still my closest friends. some are even my *best* friends. boy i like has asked before... well, if you go for months or years without being in contact, are they really that close? i say yes.

because life long friends are people that you have shared experiences, trust, laughter, tears, thoughts with. they are the people who you don't have to explain your actions too, or question if what you do will turn them off. they are the people who hold you accountable, and might know what is best for you, even when you want to ignore the best, and do what feels good. they are the people that you can call up, when going through town, hang out, and feel like no time has passed at all... when it doesn't really matter how much you have done, or not done, in the time away, because you pick it up, right where it left off. they are the ones that, despite the fact that you might not see them, or talk to them as often as you want, it doesn't make you love eachother any less. they are the ones that you will eventually tell your kids to go visit, when they live in a town across the continent, and your kids are taking a mid-twenties adventure through the world.

and, I am convinced that life-long-friends enable you to thrive. the ability to call you out, to re-direct you on the right path, to uplift you when down, and encourage you to make a tough decision. they are there when you need them, and leave you alone when you don't. These friends help you grow, develop, and flourish. And, isn't that exactly what thriving is!??!


and, besides... who doesn't like sitting down for a coffee with them, or that first hug after so long. it is just so dang feel-good!