Wednesday, January 18, 2023
Today is my best friend’s birthday. Today, I rejoice that he was born, given to me, so I can experience his presence, his talent, and his wonderful sense of humor. My best friend is the funniest person on the planet, and I am thankful that someone in my life makes me laugh, every day. Not everyone has that, I realize. But a best friend is one of those important treasures in this life.
A friend is much different than a partner. Those two entities are not always found in a single person. As a matter of fact, I think it’s better that they remain as two, separate people. A best friend, in many ways, has a confidence that a partner might not. There is more risk and vulnerability in romantic love. A best friend really feels like an anchor, a lifetime of bonding. A partner is someone with whom you express a different kind of intimacy, more fragile, more attentive. But a best friend knows you unlike anybody else. Friendships rarely fail, but romantic partnerships do.
Talking about nothing is OK. Chitchat is the first thing you’ll miss if they ever leave this world. I was fortunate to actually have two best friends. I lost one four years ago, and this only made me cherish my current best friend, to whom I wish the happiest of birthdays today. We can never confirm appreciation for our friends too much. Praise, adoration, and affection are never in excess, if they come from a genuine place of joy. Here’s to you, my best friend! Raise a glass in honor of your best friend, tell them how much they mean to you, and lift them up with gratitude. A best friend is a gift unlike none other! Happy birthday, A.W. I love you more than words can say.