that's what friends are for

When I'm in trouble physically, emotionally, financially... one friend has been there for me. We've only known each other about 1.5 years, but he is truly a friend. No strings attached, and no matter what assumptions people may have. This goes for both parties, not just myself.

When I had my knee problem; when I got into my car accident; when I couldn't pay for my rent - he was always the first to help me, regardless if I refused or not, the thought was there and I'm entirely grateful for it.

I remember we would work out 3-4 days out of the week last summer, that is until I got this knee problem (that apparently has not healed). I could barely walk, and when I did, it was intense pain. Not long after, a group of us went on a road trip up to NYC, Atlantic City, DC, Philly, and Baltimore. We walked tons during that trip which didn't help the knee. During that time, however, my friend asked me how I was doing and offered a helping hand regularly. It may seem simple, but I was grateful for the concern - especially since I felt like I was taking the fun out of the trip, being handicapped and all.

A few months before that, I was driving back to Athens around 2AM after bowling with some friends. I was talking to him on the phone to keep myself from falling asleep. Then, I hit a deer in mid-conversation. While I was going hysterical, he attempted to keep me sane. That week, knowing how miserable and shaken up I was, he came to visit me in Athens three days in a row (as well as some other friends). What a trooper!

A few weeks afterwards, we were talking once again about school and majors when I realized I had to pay for my speeding ticket the following week. The parents didn't know at the time and while I was stressing, he offered to lend me the money to pay it. I immediately rejected it, but thanked him for the thought. Then fast forward another year and I found myself unable to pay rent for my apartment. He offered and insisted on helping me this time around. He literally wouldn't take "no" for an answer.

It's funny. We don't even talk/hang out as much as we used to, but it always so happens that he is there when these crazy things happen to me. It's actually pretty ridiculous now that I think about it.

You know, some people may think there are underlying motives in our friendship, but there really isn't. We discussed long ago that we were strictly friends - 오빠 동생 사이. You could say we had a DTR. We were both in relationships with other people, yet we still maintained our friendship, of course being mindful and not giving other's the wrong idea.

I remember my dad talking to me once and saying this, "Consider yourself blessed and successful to be able to count your closest friends on one hand."

Looks like I'm already on a good track. :)