All For One and One For All... or something like that?

Lately, I've had an interest in researching social networking statistics pertaining to how many friends the "average" person has. According to Facebook, that number is 120. According to various social scientists (and don't ask me to cite this), that number is closer to 3. I was going to perhaps talk about why these numbers are so different, but I think most people could figure out the difference between the many types of friends and acquaintances. Instead, I've decided to briefly reflect on my year of friendships. Caution: You are now entering my social world.

There is the friend who went through many of the same experiences as me. In fact, this could be most of my friends. Besides, friends need to have something in common, right? But this person has not only helped me to find these similarities in my fellow man, but also to confide in these cognitive explorations over tea at random hours of the day and random days of the week. This person is one of my primary confidants and really knows how to brew a steamy conversation about philosophy, politics, art, and personal identity. This person also really likes soft, fuzzy blankets. And I like that about them.

There is the friend who serves as a role model - an image of what I'd like to become. This person has taught me a lot about what I would learn later would be my primary interests in life. I have also learned from this friend the unique value of acquaintances and all of the awkward moments that come with them. We have had some of the deepest intellectual conversations that I've had ever - and even at ungodly hours of the day. I partially obtain my personal style from this person; the key to individuality is in what pair of socks you're wearing.

There is the friend who knows basically everything about me - even the grimy details. This person is, naturally, one of my main confidants. This person loves to learn and travel and has acceptably high aspirations of wanting to life their life to the fullest and make something of their time here on Earth. This person has shared expeditious adventures with me where we discovered fascinating things about the world and ourselves. There are times when we have been annoyed with each other and times when we would do anything for each other. This person has taught me the value of taking risks.

There is the friend who is "with-you-and-in-it-for-the-win". This person is very intelligent and has walked down many of the same paths as me. This person is the definition of kindness and composure for me. They have also been incredibly patient with me and they have restored (somewhat) my faith in humanity. This person also has one of the best laughs ever.

There is the friend who has been my ultimate source of wisdom. In nearly every case where there is a difficult decision for me to make, I heed the advice of this friend. Perhaps it might be best to make my own decisions, but somehow I think they like hearing my problems. It works out really well, even when they say things that I don't want to hear. But this person has taught me to take criticism much better than I used to by being more critical myself.

There is the friend who, despite having known them for only a short while, has become my ultimate confidant - my go-to person whenever I have something I need to get out. They know absolutely everything there is to know about me. And in return, they confide in me their personal thoughts. They have taught me an incredible amount about myself through their own experiences. This person is probably the most welcoming and forgiving person I know. This is the friend who, despite being far away, has been such a friend that I feel they haven't left. There are many a visit planned for the near future involving gay robots and dinosaurs or any combination thereof.

Then there is the friend who has given me the greatest gift. I have learned more about myself, others, the world, and everything from this person than from anyone else I've met in my life. This person has truly taught me to look within myself and rediscover much of what I understand about life - my life. This person and I have shared some of the best moments of my life that I will never forget. This person is compassionate, generous, intelligent, and artistic. This person is an inspiration. This person is everything. That greatest gift I mentioned earlier? It is a four-letter word, but so much more than that.

Even though some of these friends come and go, my memories of them will always be with me. The best friends must part. And I believe that if there is anything that I learned (and didn't just read and agree with) is that it is definitely better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all. If there is anything I believe in this world, it is that.

Happy New Year.

One year in 120 seconds from Eirik Solheim on Vimeo.