Friends

What quality do you value most in a friend?

My father gave me a piece of advice when I was younger. He said that you should be able to count the number of true friends you have on one hand, and have fingers to spare. If you can’t, some of those people are not actually your friend.

I have never been a person to have a ton of friends, in part because I’m simply a strange little introvert and a complete nerd.

There are two qualities that I value most in a friend, and I cannot assign more value to one than the other – they are equally important to me. The first is the ability to listen without judgement. Sometimes, that is far more helpful than any words of wisdom the person could offer. The second is the ability and willingness to call me out on my own bullshit if I’m being an asshole. Compassionately, of course, but still.