Friends Who Shape Us
The Friends Who Shape Us
Friendships come in many forms. Some bring laughter, some carry us through grief, and others are brave enough to tell us what we need to hear, even when it stings. They are sacred connections that shape and enrich our lives in ways we often don’t pause to notice.
The Shifting Seasons of Friendship
Friendships change as we do. In childhood, they are the pals we can’t wait to see each day—racing bikes through the neighborhood, selling lemonade, climbing trees, or being part of teams. In high school, friends are beside us as we experiment, test limits, and begin to figure out who we are. In young adulthood, they help us navigate first apartments, new jobs, and fledgling relationships. Later, they walk with us through the harder seasons: sleepless nights of parenting, offering to babysit so we can catch our breath; friend dates that become a lifeline in the busyness of life; a listening ear when divorce, illness, job loss, or aging parents weigh heavy on our shoulders. Through it all, they offer us three gifts: belief, presence, and bravery.
The Gifts We Receive
Sometimes, friends see in us what we cannot yet see in ourselves. They believe in us, cheer us on, and reflect back our strengths. For me, that was Steven. His adventurous spirit made me feel like the world was bigger than the small Midwestern town I grew up in. With him, doors I hadn’t noticed before seemed to open, inviting me to step through and discover more, with a perspective of possibility.
Sometimes friends show up in our darkest hours. They are alongside us not with solutions, but with presence, giving us light. My friend Lila has been that person for me. She has always welcomed me with a listening ear, a home cooked meal, and a comforting hug when I need it most, the kind that makes the weight on your heart feel a little lighter.
Other times, friends demonstrate bravery, the courage to speak the truth in love, even when it’s difficult to hear. My friend Kendra did this for me. One evening, when I tried to downplay words from a hurtful situation, she looked at me with kindness and said simply, “Jenn, that’s not right.” Her honesty and willingness to confront the truth shifted something in me and helped set me on a better path.
Gratitude for the Friends Who Shape Us
Friendships aren’t accidents. They are true connections that walk with us through the seasons of our lives. I am deeply grateful for mine.
Who have these been for you…
The one who saw more in you than you could see in yourself?
The one who showed up with presence when you needed light?
The one who loved you enough to tell you the truth?
I invite you to pause and reach out to one of those friends today. A text, a photo from the past, or even a song can remind them of the role they’ve played in your life—and how much they matter to you.
