My Best Friend

So what makes a best friend? In my short life, I have heard claims aplenty from those around me defining what they feel is their best friend. "My best friend is the one that gives me the best advice when I seek it", says one. "My best friend is the one that was there when I was down", says another. "He is my best friend as I know him since we were four! We went to the same kindergarten, primary school, and he will be my best man on my big day", my associate boasted.

My question is, "What happens then? What happens after you get married? Will you meet your best friend as often? Will the friendship fade along with the frequency of your weekly meetups and telephone calls?"

My father once preached, during the lowest point of his life, that there is never such a thing as a best friend. Perhaps at that pinnacle of your life, you may claim that so and so is your best friend. When all is bright and dandy, no worries in the world.

He might be there during a hiccup or two, he may pick you up when you stumble here and there. But like a rock ballad, the tempo slows, as each of you grows up, and embrace what life throws at you. And the closest that you have of a best friend will just be whoever your spent your time most with. It could be your office colleagues, your gym buddy... perhaps your neighbour with whom you share your day's events over a smoke break by the corridor.

Everybody probably claims that they have a best friend. For some, he is the one that you probably spend some considerable time with. For some, its like a current trend, a new best friend wherever you go. For others, your wife or girlfriend is your best friend.

To me, a best friend dots the letter 'i' in the word Friend. We may have cliques of friends here and there but there can only be one. If you have changed your best friend in your little life, chances are you have never had one and will probably not.

A best friend knows he is your best friend without you having to tell him...and vice versa. I knew I had found mine the first time we traded punches. Thank you for everything. From the times we effortlessly smiled in dire poverty, to the times we sailed the good life with $50 in our pockets.

Thank you for taking a broken rib. Remember I broke a tooth too that night. Bros before hoes they say. No doubt, you shall be my best man on my big day, and the godfather of my children. You are the eyes behind my back, the legs when mine gives way. You, are the other half of me corazon. Enjoy it while it lasts. You'll always be my brother, in this life and the next, I'll back your life with mine.

Me, the writer have never and will never verbally declare you as my best friend. And you shall do the same. It's always best when we say nothing at all.