To the person who votes differently than me,

You have become a self-proclaimed political guru -- posting memes, propaganda videos, and engaging in any comment war you come across. Through viewing these actions, one thing is now very apparent: we have very different views. Some of you I have known for many years, while some I would consider acquaintances. It's funny, I never realized how different we were until this time of year rolled around. While I do not agree with much of what you post, rest assured, I will not be unfriending you any time soon.

I'll be honest, I've thought about it. Every time I scroll through my News Feed and see you have posted yet another meme that is 1) distasteful and 2) not backed up by facts (because who really needs factual evidence if it makes you feel good, right?) there's that small part of me that is tempted to hit the unfollow button. We would still be friends, of course, but I would be rid of the posts that leave me fuming as I casually scroll through social media. It sounds like a grand solution to the problem, but I won't be unfollowing you either.

Here's the thing: our culture has become very two sided. It's us against them. The blue versus the red. Donkey versus elephant. We believe that we don't need to tolerate differing opinions. Our culture has become so content with this division, to the point where there is little room for unity.

Life is very comfortable when everyone we know and interact with thinks the same way as us, however, this is a dangerous way to live.

We have grown up with parents who have instilled us with certain morals, values, and views which have then shaped our worldview. The places we grew up have shaped our worldview. The church we did or didn't attend shaped our worldview. The neighborhood where we attended school shaped our worldview. Our relative's drunken rants at family gatherings have even played a part in shaping our worldview. We have been bred over generations and generations to think the way we do, which often makes trying to see the other side difficult. Even if you were to try your hardest to be open minded, there will always be that small bias that comes from your worldview -- and I understand that. I recall a time where a friend of mine started vocalizing her beliefs on social media; beliefs that were starkly different than everything I believed at the time. I won't lie, I was tempted to call it quits with the unfollow button, but I didn't. I'm so glad I didn't. Being friends with someone so different taught me to be open minded; not closed off to anyone who dared have a contrasting opinion. Did I change my beliefs? Some yes, but certainly not all. Instead, I learned how to think, not just what to think.

So to you friend, It is clear we have differing opinions, to state it delicately. Truthfully, we couldn't be any more different in our thinking. But that's OK. I won't unfriend you, I won't unfollow you, I won't even talk badly about you.

I want our friendship to be proof that we don't need to agree on everything to be friends. We don't have to be in the same political party to be civil. We don't have to have the same values to be kind.

I'm sure you will post things that irritate me. There will be things you share that drive me crazy. Your comments, sometimes immature or rude, will certainly make me cringe, but it will be an opportunity to love you through our differences.

I hope you choose to do the same.

Blessings,

Your friend