Jul
2013
Friendship
Friendship: Friendship is a relationship of mutual affection between two or more people.[1] Friendship is a stronger form of interpersonal bond than an association.
My mum always said to me that there are two types of friends in life….floaters and stickers. Now whilst I always thought this sounded more like she was talking about poo than people, over the years her words have actually proved true. Friendships are strange and wonderful things, some last and some are only there, often intense for the short time you need them. Sadly, sometimes friends let you down and make you question yourself and others, and sometimes a true, long lasting friendship can develop in the most unlikely of places.
Becoming a mum at the age of 24 changed a lot of my friendships. Many of my friends were into going out, boys, and burning the candle at both ends. Whilst I was also up all night it was for a very different reason and unsurprisingly some of those friendships very quickly fizzled out. But amazingly others that I didn’t expect to became stronger, and I learnt a lot about who I could trust, and who was a true friend who would go out of their way to support me.
This weekend we travelled up north to visit an old friend with whom I lived with for three years at university. A friend who due to many things, namely life and a couple of babies, I hadn’t seen for several years. I was very excited to be going to see her and her family and it was a brilliant weekend. All of our children (6 in total!) chatted as if they were old friends themselves. I think my four year old summed it up when he said, ‘these people are my best friends ever!’ Lost in the moment he was having the most fantastic time, on the beach, riding a real tractor, running around their garden and playing hide and seek. Watching the children interact and accept each other so easily was magical. Picking up where I’d left of with my friend…priceless. It made me realise that it doesn’t matter if you don’t see friends every day, or speak to them every week. It doesn’t matter if you forget birthdays or wedding anniversaries. What matters is that when you do see them it’s exactly like it was the last time you saw them, and that it’s easy, and fun! Surrounding yourself with people who make you happy is vital, and having the courage to let go of those who don’t is equally as important.
Friendships come in so many different forms. Be them floaters or stickers, I’m learning to cherish every single one, with all of the different things they bring….and put every effort I can into them!
9 Comments on Friendship
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suzanne3childrenandit
July 15, 2013 at 2:48 pm (11 years ago)Aw this is lovely Jen – what a brilliant thing for your 4 year old to say! I’ve been thinking about friendships a lot recently. Once you find a good’un, it’s worth cherishing – such a blessing 🙂
emilytealady
July 15, 2013 at 2:54 pm (11 years ago)This is so lovely. I have friends who live up north who I went to uni with. We sporadically keep in touch on fb and texts but when we meet up its not awkward we just pick up where we left off. One of my friends came down when I was struggling with feeding and helped me. All of them have been down to see baby (more than my family have!) When you connect with ppl if you’re going to stay friends no matter what. Other ppl come and go but i can sort of work them out and its nice while it lasts. Great post xx
Iona@Redpeffer's Blog
July 15, 2013 at 4:19 pm (11 years ago)Such a lovely thoughtful post. Especially when your children get to benefit from it too, friendships are magical.
Lou's Lake Views (@LLoopyLou)
July 15, 2013 at 4:32 pm (11 years ago)Such a lovely post. Some sound advice from your mum too. You are very lucky to have friends that you all get on with #MagicMoments
Angeline
July 15, 2013 at 5:27 pm (11 years ago)Sounds like a great time spent with your friends:) What your mum said certainly is true.. its those people who you don’t see or even talk to for months , years even, that when you do pick up the phone or visit, its like nothing has ever changed. Its that which makes you feel all warm and fuzzy and thankful. Great posts. makes me want to reconnect with a few people 🙂
Ella Tabb (@Purpleella)
July 15, 2013 at 7:38 pm (11 years ago)This is so true, I have learned this about friendships too. The really good ones are very valuable. Especially the ones who accept my eccentricities and like me regardless.
Ojo Henley
July 15, 2013 at 8:46 pm (11 years ago)Aw thats lovely, I hope you continue to be close, as familys x
judithkingston
July 15, 2013 at 9:04 pm (11 years ago)So true, I have many friends that live far away but I can just pick up with where we left off. Friendships like that are invaluable. How lovely that your kids got on so well! Truly magical moments. xx
Jaime Oliver
July 15, 2013 at 11:48 pm (11 years ago)what a fantastic post and one i can so relate to, my mum said the same thing about friends however she called the ones that dont last ‘fine weather friends’ as they are the ones there when all is good and no where to be seen when needed.
I am so glad you had an amazing time and thanks for linking up with #MagicMoments