"Best" Friends?

How do you really determine a "best friend"? When in a friendship do you determine in your head that a person has reached that level? Is it a talk you have like you would in a relationship? Is it a feeling you have? I've always wondered that. Sometimes I'm not so sure feelings are mutual when it comes to friendships. Sometimes I wait for the other person to say I'm their best friend before I admit it for myself. Maybe it's a trust issue. I can't trust anyone anymore like I used to. Recently, I've had to test pretty much all of my friendships. Some have failed that test, and some have passed. I've realized promises don't mean much. I realized that no matter how convincing words can be, and how real a person can seem, they can turn on you in a moment. I don't understand how one small fight or confrontation can ruin a friendship. Shouldn't we grow from it, and have a stronger one? I don't get how a best friend can give up so easily. After all the days and nights we spent building the foundation for it, building the trust up, having a million memories and future plans together. All of that can be ruined by a single moment. When people become stubborn and their pride gets in the way of being able to fix something that once was great. It's sad how little someone can care for a situation you care SO much about saving.

I find myself being there for people who aren't there for me back. I constantly try and contact friends who I feel like I'm losing even though they obviously don't deserve it. I forgive people who have ditched me, given up on me, replaced me, forgotten about me, used me, and brought me down. I don't know why I do it. I guess I'm just tired of losing people. I just care too much. And the only reason there is such thing as caring too much in a friendship is from the other person not caring as much. If they did, there would be no such thing as caring too much. I'm scared that if someone comes to me in desperation, they need someone, and that I can somehow help in a way they wouldn't get otherwise. It's just like the "Fix You" Coldplay song I posted below. In my head, I feel like it's my job to fix someone who is broken, even if they have hurt me before. I hate that people can walk all over me like that, but I honestly don't know how I can change that. The good thing is that I learn from my so called "friends" on how I shouldn't treat other people. I know what feelings I hate, and do anything I can to not repeat it to someone else. I think that is why I'm scared to be in any sort of relationship. I see how some of my friends have completely changed after being in one. They almost forget their own purpose and goals in life and become completely consumed in someone else's life. They forget about the people who have been their for them throughout everything. And then when they have relationship problems, what do they do? They come running back. I think it's so sad that people forget their friends until they need them again.

I know in my heart I am a pretty good friend. I've had some of my friends since first grade. I don't give up on friendships unless it is really dragging me down and making me a worse person overall. I make friendships to last forever, and I genuinely appreciate every single friend I have. I love learning from them in both positive and negative ways. It's just hard to differentiate who is mutually in it for life like I am. I think one of the best compliments I've ever gotten was someone saying I was a good friend. One of my best friends texted me the other night saying "people rarely ever find a friend like you in their entire lifetime", and it honestly made me tear up because it really is something I try the hardest at. And it's something that people often may say they appreciate, but also let go of so easily. The days that I don't want to try anymore, I just remember that maybe I could maybe make a difference somehow and be a friend to someone in a way they aren't used to. That feeling keeps me going.

So here is some last but not least advice: prove that your friendship is worth something, not only in the bad times, but also the good. Thank them for being there and really mean it. Offer support without them having to ask. Ask them how they are and actually listen to their answer. Make an effort to grow together as friends because with every day, a relationship should get stronger instead of weaker. But when a bad situation arises, use it as a positive to grow as an individuals as well as pairs. Don't shut someone out because you are scared to be confronted, and always be honest with your feelings. Only make promises you fully intend to keep, no matter what. Don't say you'll be best friends forever or "I love you", if you don't genuinely mean it 100%. It's not fair to the other person if you let them down. Don't take a single moment for granted, use your time to your advantage, and don't lose sight of what you found special in them in the beginning. So, are you really a friend, let alone a best friend?