The first touch of love most people feel in life comes from your family. The second comes from friends. And that is why during LOVE Week I feel it absolutely necessary to celebrate one of the greatest kinds of Love – the friendship kind of love.

I’ve been incredibly blessed in my life to have met a great deal of phenomenal friends, many of whom I still stay in contact with on a regular basis. I’ve run into a few bad apples along the way, friendships I’ve had to let go, but the real deal – the ones rooted in the friendship kind of love – will always be with me. They’re not only an extension of my family, but of me. Their love has helped shape me into the person I am today and will help me figure out who I am to become tomorrow. A friendship kind of love runs true, runs strong and runs deep. You never mistake this kind of love as it fills your life from all possible directions. A friendship kind of love shows up when you need it the most and when you least expect it. When……

• you got that horrible grade on your English mid-term
• you need a partner in crime
• you simply can not find anything to wear for that hot date w/ Mr. Could be Right or just Right Now
• you just got a heinous hair cut
• you want to sit on the couch all day, with no make up and watch tv in your pajamas
• you want to laugh until you cry
• you can’t stop crying
• your car breaks down on the side of the road
• you can’t believe he showed up to the bar with her……
• you just witnessed the most hilarious thing and need to tell someone about it as soon as possible
• your heart is bursting with joy
• your heart is breaking
• you forgot your wallet even though you offered to pay for someone’s dinner
• you’ve had a little too much to drink
• you look like a rock star
• you need help spying on someone (oh come on, we’ve all done it at some point)
• you need someone to tell you no
• you require a little extra courage
• you stubbed your toe the same morning your hair dryer died, spilled coffee on your skirt and realized you walked out of the house forgetting to put a bra on but don’t have time to run to the store before your big review at work
• you need someone to understand, to just get it, no matter what it may be
• you really need to yell and vent frustrations
• there’s no reason at all..it’s just there.

These are just a few times when a friendship kind of love shows it’s true power. To make note of every time this kind of love has touched or affected my life would simply take entirely too long and my hands would get tired of typing. But I’m sure you, by this point, are already thinking of certain friends and times when this incredible and irreplaceable kind of love stepped into your life.

Don’t ever forget it’s just as important to tell your friends how much they mean to you and just how much you appreciate their love and support as often as possible….because friends are the best mirrors you’ll ever have….and a friendship kind of love is one of the best kinds of love you’ll ever feel.

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Thank you to all of my wonderful, fabulous and phenomenal friends I’ve had over the years and to all of those to come in the future. I love and cherish each and everyone of you very much.