Friends

For the past three years, one of my dearest friends has lived only a short drive away from DC. We've been able to witness some important milestones in each other's lives by virtue of our close proximity -- the beginning and end of major relationships, new jobs, new homes, world travels. Living so close to one another has also allowed us a chance to re-meet after years apart. Now with my old pal set to start fresh in a new city with a new gig, I've been thinking a lot about the nature of good friends.

The other day I came across something about how friendships are often "situational" -- they spring from common ground or interests. As circumstances change or your life's journey takes you in a different direction that common ground can fade and so, too, can the connection.

But as this particular expert that I was reading pointed out, "true" friends generally have three characteristics: They have a capacity to grow with you - and you with them - through life's changes; They are low-maintenance, rarely imposing their expectations on you; and contact with them, whenever it occurs, is never a duty but always a chance for a "heart to heart," even if its been three months or three years.

I've known my friend longer than anyone else I'm close with now. Like any friendship, it's had its ups and downs. We've had periods of little contact and encountered stretches when our lives were headed in different directions but those characteristics that I mentioned earlier, have always been a part of our bond. I hope they always will be.

(via Le Love)