Since my parents passed away and I don’t have much family within driving distance, I’ve come to appreciate my friends more than ever.
Losing my parents has been lonely, but it also made me more open to meeting new people and make new friends.
I’m by no means that person that has a bajillion and half friends in their iPhone Rolodex, and I don’t want to. But you need friends and I think its always good to be open to make new ones.
Here are some types of friends I think people should have in their arsenal of friends:
1) The Platonic Friend of the Opposite Sex
I don’t lack platonic friends of the opposite sex, so this isn’t a problem for me. But I think we all need at least one really good one.
Sure, some people say that straight girls and guy friends can never be “just friends” without one of them wanting to bone the other. That may be true, but I think as long as you can contain yourself, I think it’s an important type of friend to have.
I’m not talking about a casual acquaintance. I’m talking about someone you can really trust and confide in. They help you see things in perspective. My good guy friend helps me decode the non-sense my crush texts me (spoiler alert, there is no decoding involved, unlike girls, guys are pretty straightforward).
2) A Friend That’s “Got A Guy…”
You need a friend that knows a good handyman, a good mechanic, therapist, trainer, hairdresser, or even potential boyfriend/girfriend.
My point is, you need someone with good connections who’s opinions you trust. I trust my friend’s opinion more than Yelp reviews (which are kind of obnoxious and unreliable when owners pay people to write good stuff and trash competitors).
3) A Friend That Takes Really, Really Good Photos
Not necessarily a photographer, just someone who’s got a good eye for your best angle and help you get an awesome profile pick.
This girl is mine.
And she took this one of me that I love.
4) A Friend That “Know Computers”
Lucky for me, I work at a tech start-up so I’ve got a lovely selection of these types of friends in my arsenal.
Be good to these friends. Buy them lunch, listen to their problems, and shut up if their political opinions differ from you.
5) The Friend Who’s “Been There”
I have a few friends that have lost both parents and I must say, they really truly understand and it helps to ask them for advice and just to vent to them when I miss my own. Whatever your issues are, it’s always helpful to have a friend that’s gone through it and come out OK.
I have friends that have recovered from eating disorders, friends who’ve had their heart broken, and friends that have had a pimple in their ear (and holy butt, that is just THE WORST!!!!”).
What kind of friend do you think everyone should have? Which kind of friend do you think you are?
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
I will add that everyone needs the “hold’s you accountable” friend who holds you to your shit. The one who reminds you you are not following through on what you said you did. The one who checks in to see if you are keeping your new year’s resolutions because they really care.
Not sure what friend I am. I am the friend who makes the birthday cake (or pie)?
Hmm. Speaking of friends, you and I need still to figure out a time to powwow.
Crap. I don’t even have five friends. Sigh…
1) I doubt that
2) a lot of these can overlap for example, my platonic friend is also my computer friend
great post … I need to find some people to fill those spots.
craigslist ad?
Friends that you don’t see often but when you do, it’s like we were never apart. I’ve got many friends like these. These are my sistas and brothas from anotha mother. I love that we can always pick up where we left off. Those friendships make me feel like wherever we are in our lives, we’ll always have each other.
Great list Eden!
I think everyone should have the brutally honest friend or bubble burster as I have been called. I have two best friends that I have known my whole life and the other since first grade. I’m the honest friend. I remember one of them trying on a hat while shopping one day and I told her how stupid she looked in it. The people that worked there gasped and said ‘that’s a true friend right there!’. She bought it anyway.