Choosing Between a Heart and a Handshake

Love and friendship

The specific topic of love and friendship are deeply intricate; they involve passion, loyalty, and the unique bond between individuals. If you think about it, both words share similarities. In fact, when deeply experienced, they can even mean the same thing. 

A quick internet search defines love as: “a deep affection and pleasure with something or someone”. Examples include: “I love this movie” or “I love you”.

If friendship is searched online, it is defined as: “a close relationship between two or more people who care and support each other.” Some examples include: “She is the most valuable person I have as a friend” or “This friendship is going to last forever”.

Love…

Love is a complex emotion that can never be fully described because there are thousands of perspectives. Love is not only about kissing or having a trustworthy partner for life;  it exists in different relationships. Wouldn't you say that you have love for your family? You love your mom and dad, your siblings, and even your pets. Loving someone means developing a deep desire for them to stay in your life forever. It is not something to be said lightly; it should be reserved for someone truly special so that when you say it, you genuinely mean it. 

To love someone, there must be more than just surface-level conversations. Love requires different forms of affection—both individuals must be committed to  maintaining the relationship. Think of love as a road trip. In short journeys, there is no need to worry about red flags and tolls since the two points are very close, and obstacles are minimal. This comparison makes sense because, in short-lived relationships, people avoid discussing problems. However, in long relationships, both people need patience on how to talk things through with one another in case something is bothering them (like the toll, that you need to stop for a second to understand how to go through).  

Friendship…

The feeling of having someone to talk to after a bad day, after an accomplishment, or after you felt scared is incomparable. There is nothing like having a friend who will accompany you even in your worst moments, who will not judge you for who you are, or want to be; that person who will stick by your side no matter what. 

If you woke up one day, having lost everything that you've ever gained, it would be the moment you would reflect on who would try to help you recompose, and who would just stay aside, feeling pity in their hearts, but wouldn't give you a hand. There are friends that you like to hang out with and talk to, fun people, and there are true friends, those are the ones that you can only count on one hand since you know they would never betray or leave you. If a friendship lasts longer than seven years, it is expected to last forever. A person never stays the same, not even for one year—if you are with someone for several years, it means that you have seen each other's best and worst phases, but if both stick together to fight that, then challenges become easier to overcome. However, a friendship is never perfect. When friends with someone, you gain the liberty to call each other out on bad things that they've done and things that they did that made you sad. A friendship is about maturing and not only changing yourself but also helping individuals grow with the relationship. 

The connection

While reading the two paragraphs above, have you noticed the strong connection between love and friendship? Well, there is one. The two paragraphs were written with the same theme but in different words. The truth is, there was never really a choice—only one answer. The only answer to this question would be LOVE. If you are asking yourself “Why love?”, just keep reading. Love is the base of any relationship; when thinking of love, the first thing that comes to mind for most people is a happy couple, enjoying each other's company. However, wouldn't you say that you love more people besides your partner, such as your friends? For a friendship to last, both people must support each other and tolerate their flaws, even when annoying. Knowing the right words to use in the conversation is a crucial tool to not create a bigger conflict. Always try to be understanding, because if you aren't, in probably one day maximum you will go back to that person apologizing and laughing again since you enjoy their company so much (at least it always happens to me and my best friend). What keeps people in the relationship from walking away is the love they hold in their hearts. Therefore, there is love in every deep and true relationship. Love is present regardless of whether it is an anger-based relationship, a friendship, or a pity relationship.