I've grown up always surrounded by a few really great friends. I tend to not open myself up completely with all of my friends. I trust so few and I feel safe with so few I have to almost scout them out, if I'm being completely honest. It was just the way I was built by nature.

I've noticed I "chose" the friends that are more spirited, and more or less on the talkative side - which is the complete opposite of me. It works out, though, because if I can't carry on the conversation they always do, and it flows so easily. They also accept me for my weird habits and crazy rants about random TV shows and celebrities or experiences I've had that day. They provide a place of comfort and warmth.

Now, I'm not always on the lucky side when it comes to friends. I've lost more than I can count, some because of fights that had so little meaning and others because of drifting without reason. Most of the time I keep to myself and don't even try to put myself in the position to make new friends and keep them. In certain situations I'm forced to step out of my comfort zone and open up a bit more than I would with any other given stranger, and for some people it worked. I consider them a few of my better friends I have today.

One of the most important qualities I like about people is their acceptance of forgiveness and awareness of their own forgiveness. We all make mistakes and if you aren't willing to talk it out and move on, then it becomes difficult for me to continue to fully be myself around you. I'll close up and watch what I say in front of you or I'll altogether just quit talking to you. Which sounds awful, and I feel awful about it sometimes, but I personally see forgiveness as a precious thing and if we didn't give or get second chances we would all be nowhere.

Like I said previously, I'm not the most talkative person, but when I need to talk I need to talk. I think when someone is truly engaged in what you have to say and they make sure you know they are listening to you, they are genuinely willing to support you no matter what. You can't find that in every person, but man I have been fortunate enough to find the ones that make me feel as if I am enough.

While humor is a key quality, I will laugh at anything and everything, so chances are everyone I come across will make me laugh. But it's so rare to meet someone who is purely driven by passion. They make me believe in myself because I can always hear them pushing me to work harder.

All of the qualities I've mentioned are ones my best friends have today. Each and every one of them make me feel proud to be myself, and since they are all so different in their respective ways, I feel proud of them. I'm grateful that I picked a good team.