No New Friends?

“No new friends,” is a saying that I have heard pretty frequently, and everytime I do I can’t help but wonder - Did the first person who said these words understand all that they could be losing in the process? Did they worry that a new friend would somehow diminish the relationship they have with an old one?

I have had three incredible women by my side supporting every step of my journey since high school. They know where I come from and how my family is equally crazy and loveable at the same time. They were there for the awkward time I thought having blonde hair and turquoise (non-prescription) contacts would somehow make me more beautiful, and they never seem surprised by the new challenges I set for myself. They are as much a part of me as my family is and I would never change the friendships we have been able to create.

If this is how it is when you truly understand the effect someone’s presence has made in your life, why would you ever concern yourself over the idea that a new friend could possibly take that away?

We meet new people every day and everyone is looking for a deeper connection, a connection to someone who understands what their heart is trying to say. Sometimes we get caught up in what people need or expect from us that we forget that it’s ok to be who we are, not who others want us to be. New friends allow us to do that, they allow us to be exactly who we are at that point in our lives because they have no preconceived notions of who they thought or hoped we were.

They allow us to tell old stories with a fresh excitement because they understand that when we do, we are giving them a glimpse into who we once were. Better yet, they have stories of their own that will leave us laughing, crying, and even make our heart feel like it’s going to burst from all of the love we feel for this person.

The people I have met now as an adult weren’t there to hear about my first boyfriend or when I learned how to drive a car, but they are here now, to love the person I have become. I will tell them about my past and they will be able to connect it to the person they see standing before them, as I will be able to do for them.

Everytime I meet someone new and realize that we instantly have a connection that even I can’t explain, I know that I have found something special, something to treasure, something that will only make me a better person who is filled with more love. That realization along with the knowledge that this person is someone I can make lasting memories with, is what makes me sad for the people who have pushed away the possibility of new friends.

I understand the concept of continuing to grow the relationships you already have instead of potentially wasting time on new ones, but the new relationships we make open us up to experiences we never expected. In the past year I have met a small handful of people who have made me laugh, listened to my hardships, and shown support in my endeavors more than I could have ever expected. They have helped me look at the world through their eyes and in doing so, opened my heart to new possibilities and adventures.

Will every new friend we make become a “forever” friend? One can only hope. What I do know, is even if these new friendships are only temporary, I am a better person for having them, and I hope that you will open your heart to the idea of letting someone new walk in.