I had a conversation with my mom recently about having friends. I have a friend who is 20 years older than me. I am good friends with someone who is also 7 years younger than me. I feel like there is this stigma that we have to date someone older than us if we are women and younger than us if we are men. That our friends or our peers are classified as people who are in our age group.
Up until I started working with this friend of mine, I didn't even realize how broad friendships are. My mom told me, you can't judge someone that way, that friends come in so many different ways. Hence the Genius of our Father in Heaven. I feel bad in many ways that I had shut my mind to being friends with people are a lot older or younger than me, but as I have gotten older I have found that this diverse range we have the opportunity to experience is special.
Friends aren't only based on age, we talk about a few other places- Size, Gender, Religion, Age. These are all things I think people use to determine who they become friends with. With this thought in mind, I kind of looks at how my friends are in my life.
My Best Friend is literally a foot shorter than me, younger than me, but is probably far more dedicated to her goals than I ever will be.
A Very Good Friend who is like a sister to me is 2 Years older than me and 9 Inches Shorter than me and lives states away from me.
One of my favorite people on earth is 20+ Older than me- Who I literally text and laugh with constantly and enjoy her company.
A Couple of Good Guy Friends I have are Shorter than me and sometimes their humor is a little out there, but I consider them to be a couple of my best guy friends!
I am good friends with a kid who is 7 Years younger than me and I enjoy having game nights with him and his family.
I have friends I go to for advice who are younger than me and I have gone on dates with men who aren't as tall as me, I am not perfect. That's for sure, but I have found that this Diversity of People in my life. Is a blessing.
Friendship is a funny thing. I have friends from so many different places in life. Friends with people who have children and friends with people are in many ways children. I have friends who are single, friends who are dating someone or married. I have friends who are gay, friends with mental illness' and friends who just struggle. I have had friends who are not religious and I have had friends who are absolutely dedicated to the Gospel. I know and have friends who drink and do drugs and have friends who won't even talk about those subjects.
The point is, the diversity in my life has helped me to grow. For me, knowing who I am and knowing where I am going helps me keep in line so I can be a positive influence and not take in negative influences. I am proud of the people I call friends. And am blessed for those who consider me to be.
While it is a strange situation to some people. It is my life and I consider myself to be absolutely blessed because of it. I have learned that a friend is not a specific classification, or someone of a certain age or gender or religion. A friend to me is someone I enjoy my time with and who I love and care about, because at the end of the day.
That's where my blessings of people have come from. The Diversity.
Alyssa
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