(Unspash/Omar Lopez)
International Day of Friendship is July 30 and this is a perfect time to celebrate those people in your life who know everything about you, make you laugh and are there for you when necessary. The great thing about friends is that they come in all shapes and sizes and we get to choose how many we have and how often we see them. Obviously friendships can be complicated and they don’t always run smoothly but the beauty is that they are constantly evolving and there are no rules on the amount of friends we can have and how we interact with them. Whether you have a few close friends that you see one-on-one, thrive in a big, boisterous social group, or make up the rules as you go along, each different friendship type is a gift and should be cherished. This is a great opportunity to do something special for all the different friends you have in your life to show them your appreciation.
1. THE BEST FRIEND
This is that one friend who you know, no matter what, will be there for you for the rest of your life. You’ve been through so many experiences together and you know all of each other’s secrets that you feel as close as family. Your best friend is the one who knows every little detail about you to the extent that you can finish each other’s sentences. These friendships can be rough sometimes because you go through the bad as well as the good together, but it’s all worth it because these experiences just make your relationship stronger.
Treat them: Show them how much they mean they mean to you by creating a home-made collage of all the memories you’ve shared together infused with captions of your very own private jokes and catchphrases.
2. THE LISTENER
This is the friend that you go to when you have a lot on your mind and you need someone who know is going to listen, just listen. Most of the time all we need is someone who will lend an open ear without passing judgement or feeling the need to interject, and this friend knows how to do just that. They are truly able to listen and leave their own opinions aside when all you need is to pour your heart and soul out.
Treat them: They love to listen, so get them tickets to a fun music show or an interesting lecture.
3. THE FUN ONE
This is the friend that you call up when you just want to let your hair down and have a good time. They are full of energy and always up for a laugh. You may not necessarily share your deepest secrets with this person but you can trust them to find the best parties in town or fun things to do. They are willing to take risks and will get you out of your comfort zone when you need a little push.
Treat them: Make the effort to find a fun event that you know they will like and invite them along.
4. THE LOYAL COWORKER
This is the friend that you actually spend more time with than any of your other friends. While you wouldn’t have necessarily chosen to be friends with them if you didn’t work together you are happy that you got the chance to meet them because there is a lot of mutual respect between you and you know that you can trust each other. You have a good relationship at work, making each other laugh to get through the day, and you also sometimes see each outside of work because you enjoy their company.
Treat them: Cook a meal that you know they will like, take it into work and find a nice spot outside to eat it together at lunch time.
5. THE WISE ONE
This is the friend you go to when you are searching for some advice or direction. They are the kind of person who has lived a rich and interesting life full of travel and adventure and are happy to share their experiences with others. Maybe a little older, this is the kind of friend who knows how to listen and also knows just the right thing to say at the right time. They have plenty of interests and are always offering new insights on the unique things they learn.
Treat them: Make an effort to research one of their interests and either buy them a gift related to it or invite them to an interesting event.
