I didn't go into this summer expecting to make new friends. I especially didn't go into this summer expecting to make new friends that would challenge me, encourage me, and make me feel so comfortable being completely myself. As I look around at the people that have poured into my life these past couple of months, I can't help but feel so immensely and incredibly blessed. Being surrounded by people that, in a matter of months, have motivated me to consistently strive toward the best version of myself is more than I could have ever asked for. These are just a few of the ways I've felt #blessed by the people in my life lately:

1. Being challenged

"A comfort zone is a beautiful place, but nothing ever grows there." Having people in my life that have challenged me to do things that make me a little uncomfortable has given me the opportunity to continuously learn more about myself. I've been challenged to be more vulnerable, to get real with myself, to step out and have real conversations with people, and to give up everything to Jesus. Whether direct or indirect, through each challenge I've seen growth in my character.

2. Encouragement

Sometimes it's easy to go through life without ever taking much notice of what exactly you're doing. You might say or do things that you don't even realize, but yet they have great impact. When people begin to point these out and encourage you to continue to do them, it changes everything. Small acts I would do almost naturally, I can now do more intentionally as I've been affirmed and encouraged in them. I am beginning to understand that what may seem small and meaningless to me may mean a whole lot to someone else, and I can be mindful of when, how, and why I do what I do.

3. Freedom

I think the best trait a friend can have is to allow me to be entirely myself without fear of judgement, ridicule, or gossip. Having the space to share my thoughts and feelings - no matter how ridiculous or serious - is such a comforting place to be. I'm not a surface-level friend, and small talk is my worst enemy. So, being able to dive into the core of who I am with those around me is something that I am thankful for.

4. Laughs

This one is how I know it's real. If, as my friend, we can laugh until my abs are sore and, in the same day, share about some of our most personal experiences, then I've found a friend worth keeping. Throughout this summer I've been blessed by many of these people and I couldn't be more grateful. As much as I love times of intimacy, moments of cracking jokes and picking on each other are also some of my favorites.

5. Vertical + Horizontal

Of all the value that has been added to my life by the people around me the summer, one of the most significant has been the ability to have both vertical and horizontal relationships. I've been given people that I can look up to and trust as mentors. People that want to help lead and guide me in my walk with Jesus. I've also been blessed with people that are on my level. People walking through life in a similar place as I am that I can look to as a source of motivation to keep going. Then there are people I've been chosen to be able to pour into. People that I can share my experiences with and encourage in their growth. I didn't realize until recently how important having all three of these is.

I wish I could do a better job of explaining all of these blessings in a more powerful way, but sometimes friendship is something you just feel. The moments when I walk away from time, phone calls, or texts with these people and feel refreshed, energized, loved, and known simply cannot be explained. As a whole, though, this article serves to reflect on the fact that I am incredibly blessed, and I hope it encourages you to recognize ways that you are, too.