The Friends Era

Before I start, I just want to go ahead and say thanks to those who have supported my writing with this blog. Although I've already had people (I won't say who) tell me that it's either a stupid idea or I'm not good at writing or even the occasional straight up question: "Ugh why do you even have a blog?!", I appreciate the rest of you who read and connect with what I have to say to your own daily lives. It makes my day a whole lot better (especially after bad days like today) when I write to either get my mind off of things or help any of you out with daily issues. You guys are awesome! Keep the inspiration alive! 

It's Summertime, which means it's time to reconnect with good friends that you didn't really get to see over the school year. And I don't mean just a simple "hi/bye" as you walk passed them in a supermarket, realizing that you're never going to talk to them until this sort of coincidence happens again. But what if you were this person's "best friend"? What happened between you both? I'll tell you what happened... Time went on. It's not your fault. Hell, it's not even THEIR fault. This time slot this what I refer to as The Friends Era. There are nine stages that explain (briefly) what happens in every friendship. Please keep in mind that this is all opinionated experiences that I have been through from MANY friends in middle school and high school. I also realize that each friendship is different.

The first stage is what's known as The Giggles. You say something delightfully humorous, either by accident or on purpose. Someone laughs and even joins in on your conversation. You literally spend the whole time, until you have to go your separate ways, cracking jokes, sharing a little autobiography of what you do, add them on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc. It's perfectly normal. The next few days go by and you get a text or chat from them saying, "Hey! You want to hang out?!" Which brings us to stage two: Initiation. This is where you start getting to know the person a lot more. It includes brief coffee dates, lunch/dinner reservations, or just plain chilling in a group with people. 

In a matter of months, you will enter stage three: Inseparable. That's it. You can't spend more than 2 minutes away from your new friend. You always text, talk, skype, hangout, and even sleep over each other's houses every, single weekend. You even start matching so you can be "twinning"! No one can break you apart at this point... Until one of you gets pissed off. From this, stage four comes into play: The Drift Part I. Uh-oh. You /they did something that they don't like or you don't like. But here's the thing, neither of you tell each other what it is (which, I agree, is really annoying). You both don't talk a lot or get mad for simple things. Then comes the big bang of stage five: The Break-Up. One of you finally admits what the other person did to make this point come up. You do, however, give them space. Later on, you both realize that talking it out will help save your friendship.

Congratulations! You have made it to stage six, or The Make-Up and Reemergence of Stage 3 (if you don't remember, that's the Inseparable stage). And just like that, you're back to being BFFs. Life is great again... But for an even shorter time. During your first drift, both of you began speaking to other people and befriended them. But the catch is that your friends don't like your friend's friends. Or your friends that you used to have prefer your friend instead (also happens vice versa). Stage seven, The Drift Part II, occurs when both of you begin hanging out with your other new friends who accept what you do that your BFF doesn't. Then comes stage eight: The Awkward Hangouts. You both try inviting each other to chill with the other person's friends. But as you hang out, neither of you can relate to other side, of which you each despise. Little by little, you guys separate further apart. Soon, sadly, you both fall into the final ninth stage: Supermarket. This concludes your friendship at the "hi/bye" barrier.

 Most friends aren't meant to last forever. I mean just look at the word: Fri[end]. They say, however, that if you pass the seven year mark, you will always be friends no matter what. Right now, no one has been my friend for that long. Something always resorts back to these steps. The main point right now is to cherish your friendship as long as you can. Life is supposed to be meaningful, and friends always fill that meaningful void.

Friends "Forever",

Allison