Growing up, your parents always asked if you made any new friends at school and anywhere you went, they usually encouraged you to form new friendships. As expected, over the years many of these relationships have fizzled but for some of us, these relationships have stood through many years and even decades. In some cases, you no longer even consider these people as friends, but they have rather become members of your family. They are a constant presence in your life and are on your emergency contact list. While the word friend can be used lightly at times, as you become an adult, you quickly realize that it is not the amount of friends you have in your life that matters, but rather the quality of friends you keep around. There are five friends that you should definitely strive to have in your life:

1. The Fun One

This is your typical “life of the party” friend. It does not necessarily mean that this friend is always at the club but it simply means that this person is the one that will always be sure to lighten your mood when you are having a hard time and always ensure that you are able to relax and enjoy life. They have a positive outlook on life and will always be able to pick up your mood when you’re going through a tough time.

2. The Wise One

This friend is the keeper of all of your secrets and all of your troubles, insecurities, and mistakes. They are non-judgmental and are able to provide you with sound advice and also give you reassurance when you are uncertain and are in the middle of making hard decisions.

3. The Cheerleader

This one is the friend that will help you dream and will never make you feel like you are living on another planet, no matter what your goals are in life! You are going through medical school? She will be the one to stop by and check on you in the library or stop by your home and bring you a warm meal. And even if your dream is to make it into professional sports, he will willingly spend countless hours with you on the court or in the gym to help you sharpen your skills and will continue to be your loudest cheerleader through the ups and downs.

4. The Driven One

While that friend may intimidate those who are not used to them, to you, they are a life saver on many occasions! They are the one who will help you get better grades by voluntarily staying in the library to help you study for the final. When you seem to want to settle, they are the one who will continually push you to be and do better. They will not use their intelligence to belittle you, but rather to help you and always will reach out a hand to  pull you up right alongside them.

5. The Reliable One

This friend is there through it all: the good, the bad, and the ugly. Whether it has been a couple of days since you’ve last spoken or a few months since you’ve last seen each other: this friend will drop everything to be by your side in your time of need. They are your first call in an emergency and you know that no matter how impossible the task, they will be there and if they are unable to be there, they will find you the necessary help.
Sometimes you may have one friend who luckily has a combination of those traits, and that is equivalent to winning the lottery especially since true friendships are becoming a thing of the past. However, if you are fortunate enough to even have one of these types of friends, hold on to them dearly and be sure to be as great of a friend to them as they have been to you. Friendships come and go, but when you have found the right ones, they simply make going through life much easier.