The Difference in an Acquaintance and a Friend (BFF)

My BFF Anne

During my 60 years I've had friends.  I'm not talking acquaintances, here.  I'm talking sure enough, finish your sentences, tell you the truth no matter what, has your back friends.  Some people, like my sister, have a large circle of friends and they have been friends all the  back to elementary school.  Some people are more like me and have more acquaintances than close or as they say today a BFF (Best Friend Forever).  


My mother always said that she didn't have time for friends.  She acted like she couldn't be bothered with the responsibility of cultivating a friendship or the high maintenance of keeping a friend.  She always claimed to have a lot of acquaintances.  People she knew and people that knew her.  People that would speak if  she met them in a store or bumped into them at a restaurant.  There would be cordial chitchat, but nothing that could be mistaken for personal or really familiar with her or our family.  Just polite chitchat.

This is when you need BFF love!

I can remember in high school thinking that I didn't want to be close friends with girls.  They gossiped, giggled too much and were flighty.  All that even though I was a girl.  I thought boys were better friends.  They didn't hold grudges, they would tell it more as it was and they had a sense of humor.  I liked the way boys weren't petty.  I guess you could say that I had a lot of acquaintances in high school.  I wasn't girlie enough, though.  I remember thinking that I must look like a small elephant clopping across the room when other girls seemed to be so graceful and would just glide.  I couldn't figure out how I was cheated out of the feminine and delicate gene.  Little did I know until I grew up and talked to other girls from my age in school when they confessed feeling the same way.  Shocking!  We all had our insecurities.


Now that I'm middle aged.  That isn't so unless I end up living to be 120.  I guess I'm old, now.  I can look back and remember some great friendships.  Seems each friendship came in a time that was needed by me or my friend.  Some friendships burned out when there wasn't a need for what that friendship was giving.  Some got lost across miles of distance.  Then there are new friendships.  I am lucky to have a BFF that finishes my sentences, has my back, giggles with me over nothing in particular.  She is always ready for fun, an adventure and a spur of the moment shopping spree.  I love her like a sister.  I never want to lose her.  I'd give her a kidney.
Better yet, she would give me a kidney and then take care of me during recovery.

Our hubbies napping together!  Party Animals

Life would be so lonely and boring without my BFF.   I am her family and she is mine.  We have adopted each other.  Our husbands really like each other and are best buds.  I can curl up on her den floor and take a nap.  She has a key to my house.  I can tell her anything and I know she will still love me.  We are both chubby and swear we will do something about it.  Typically we talk about it over Chips and wine.  

Anne and Rob
Our BFFS

Yep, she is worth investing my time to build our relationship.  Acquaintances sure they are nice, but a BFF, that is special.