One of the greatest things about being a teenager is the sharing, the closeness and the great time you have with your friends. Friends are a big and important part of your life. They are the first ones you run to with good news and the first ones you call with bad news. They are the ones you spend most of time with and the ones you share your hopes and dreams with.

But what does friendship really mean? According to several autographs and slambooks I have read, friendship is a special bond shared between people who understand each other and enjoy each other’s company, and that I should be cherished and treasured forever. One great writer also said “Friendship is born at the moment when one person says to another, “What?! You too? I thought no one but myself.” Although all of these are true, I don’t think that these words really capture what friendship is really about. The quote “The greatest things in life are not seen nor touched but can only be felt by the heart” comes to mind when asked to define friendship. So instead of putting it into words, I’ll make an example instead.

Let’s say that a girl wanted to win in a certain tournament. She trained and worked really hard but still didn’t manage to make it to the finals. Then, she called her friend for some sympathy and words of enlightenment or encouragement or simply to tell her that she’s not the biggest loser in the world. She called her just in time for the start of her friend’s favorite show. But when her friend found out, she turned off the television and rushed right over to give her friend a hug and comfort her heartbroken friend.

Now, that’s friendship. And the girl who rushed over to give her friend a hug? That’s a true friend. A person who was there when she’d rather be somewhere else watching tv and drooling over Joshua Jackson.

Friendship is helping someone look for their cellphone when it got lost. Friendship is helping someone up after they tripped over a flight of stairs without laughing. Friendship is calling someone up just to see if they’re okay. Friendship is all of these and more.

These examples I have given are not just idealistic images from my twisted adolescent mind. These examples of friendship were once real life experiences. It makes me realize how lucky I am to be surrounded by true friends and be given the gift of friendship.

One day, I will look back to this composition, maybe read it to a friend. We’ll probably laugh at my wrong grammar, stupid looking penmanship and my idealistic view of life and friendship. And on that one day, I’ll have another meaning to add to “My definition of Friendship”.