When asked about the things that matter most in life, we often place friendships somewhere near the top of the list. But what does it really mean to be a friend? Are there different degrees of friendship? We’ve heard ourselves talk about our “best” friends, our “good” friends, and those who are in our circle of friends. So, what’s the difference? Maybe we look to the source of the word to answer this question. The word friend originates from roots that mean “one who is loved.” While we may or may not think of our relationship with our friends as one of love, perhaps it is the truest example of unconditional love. Our friends are those with whom we can express ourselves openly without concern of repercussions, with whom we can laugh and cry without worrying about appearing weak or foolish, and with whom we can share our insecurities without fear of vulnerability. They listen without judgement, feel an empathy for us that is truly genuine, and help us heal the wounds that life may have inflicted along our journey. Friends are there for us when we ask for help and somehow know that we need it even when we are silent. They celebrate our joys and triumphs as earnestly as they feel our pain and sorrow. So, perhaps even love itself doesn’t define our closest friendships. Maybe those friends are somehow an extension of ourselves, one who sees the beauty within us and helps us to see it too.