There is a difference between
being an acquaintance and being a friend.
An acquaintance is someone
whose name you know,
who you see every now and then,
who you probably have
something in common with
and who you feel comfortable around.

It's a person that you can invite to your home
and share things with.
But they are people who
you don't share your life with,
whose actions sometimes
you don't understand
because you don't know enough about them.

On the other hand,
a friend is someone you love.
Not that you are "in love" with them,
but you care about them and
you think about them
when they are not there.
The people you are reminded of
when you see something they might like,
and you know this
because you know them so well.
They are the people whose pictures
you have and whose faces
are in your head regardless.

Friends are the people you feel safe around
because you know they care about you.
They call/or email just to see how you are doing,
because a friend doesn't need an excuse.
They tell you the truth,
the first time, and you do the same.
You know that if you have a problem,
they are there to listen.

Friends are the people who won't laugh at you
or hurt you, and if they do hurt you
they try hard to make it up to you.
They are the people you love,
regardless of whether you realize it.

Friends are the people you cried with
when you got rejected from colleges
and during the last song
at the prom and at graduation.
They are the people that when you hug them,
you don't think about how long to hug
and who's going to be the first one to let go.

Maybe they are the people
that hold the rings at your wedding,
or maybe they are the people
who give you away at your wedding,
or maybe they are the people you marry.
Maybe they are the people
who cry at your wedding
because they are happy or
because they are proud.

They are the people who stop you
from making mistakes and
help you when you do.
They are are the people
whose hand you can hold,
or you can hug or give them a kiss
and not have it be awkward
because they understand
the things you do
and they love you for them.

They stick with you and stand by you.
They hold your hand.
They watch you live
and you watch them live
and you learn from them.
Your life is not the same without them.

These are your REAL friends!
Author Unknown