Friendship is a vital part of life.

Friendship is a vital part of life. In many movies, TV shows, and books we read today, there is often a friendship that seems inseparable—a friendship that looks almost too good to be true. While some of those friendships are fictional or unrealistic, we can look at the world around us and see what real friendship truly looks like. Every friendship has its ups and downs, but a strong friendship is built on loyalty, respect, trust, honesty, kindness, being nonjudgmental, and relatability. These qualities are the foundation of what we should expect from a true friend.

At the heart of every friendship is the trust you build and the instant connection you can feel when you first meet. For example, when I first met Dominique, it was her first week of school, and we almost immediately became close. We built an inseparable bond throughout the last few months of our freshman year. Sometimes, when you first meet someone, you may not realize how much you have in common until you sit down and have a meaningful conversation.

Furthermore, cherish the friendships you make in elementary school, middle school, and high school because those are the people you create special memories with. For example, I met Anissa back in kindergarten, and we are still friends now as juniors in high school. This friendship means so much to me, and at this point, we are practically sisters. However, friendships are never perfect. You will go through rough times, but what truly matters is having the respect, loyalty, and willingness to work through those challenges together.

Ultimately, true friendship is built on trust, respect, honesty, and loyalty. These qualities create a strong bond that can last for many years, even through challenges and disagreements. I am grateful for the lifelong friends I have made, as well as the new friendships that continue to shape my life. I hope that everyone in Arizona takes the time to value, appreciate, and nurture the friendships they have because genuine friends are some of the greatest gifts in life.