Friend Ramblings
Friends are people you can be embarrassing with, be cringe with, little fools with, your absolute worst self with (in a respectful way), and be vulnerable with.
If you can't do that, maybe you aren't close enough or that's not a friend :(
Because through all of that, a friend will respect you if you hadn't brought malice to their heart. A friend shows true concern when needed, a friend makes jokes and fun with you but knows when to dial it back to comfort you.
A friend knows how to set boundaries with you and respect yours.
Boundaries can be seen as a distancing tool for most situations, but really, it's a trust tool. Instead of completely cutting someone out of your life, you set boundaries and trust them to not break them. If some boundaries need to be set in a friendship, that is okay. It just means you found a bump in the road and need to adjust a few things with your relationship. Boundaries don't mean that there have to be any tension between you and your friend(s). It just means that you have trust that they will acknowledge and adapt to you and that you will acknowledge and adapt to them.
Now, if you can not trust someone with the boundaries you set, you should probably consider if they respect you at all. A friend is someone you can talk to, sit with, entertain each other with your presence. No matter the background, interests, or occupation, anyone can be friends. But if someone doesn't respect you, that right there is questionable behavior for a friend.
A friend knows how to hold you accountable when you need to be. A friend knows how to defend you when you need to be. A friend knows to encourage your passions. A friend doesn't always make fun of your appearance/interests no matter how uncomfortable you say it makes you. A friend doesn't make fun of your other friends just because they're different.
A friend is someone you should hold close to your heart. A friend is important. Love your friends guys.
Friends, I love you @blurrycow @umbr33zy <3