Best Friends



It's cold here and the cottage smells of fresh paint.
The log burner has been on since Sunday night, and Albert has burrowed under the bedroom duvet to warm himself after a night's hunting.
I've just touched base with best friend Nu who is suffering from a heavy seasonal cold.
I catch up with her in two weeks time on  a winter's London trip
Phone calls with friends often fall into shorthand speak where conversations take on, almost a language all of it's own! This drives the Prof mad and he often refers to my interactions as being emotionally masturbating in nature!
Hey ho
I read an article recently that stated a research paper claimed that people with more than one or two best friends lived longer, happier lives than those that didn't!
Go figure !
So my question of today is.....
Who is your best friend? ( first name only) and in five words or less describe just why that is the case! ( spouses can't be classed as best friends I am afraid)
I'd be interested to hear

84 comments:

  1. Anonymous12:17 pm

    It gives me no pleasure to tell you that I don't have one. My partner is my best friend, but that is terribly and narrowly dependent. I don't have anyone to whom I could bitch to about my partner.

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    1. I don't count partners as best friends ....they are something wholly different. ....

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  2. Nu, loyal, consistant, funny, wise

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  3. Alas, I have no best friend. My life may end up shorter, but the days sure seem longer. Kris

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    Replies
    1. Fuck research Kris ...it's not all correct

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    2. Why skipaki? I'm intrigued with the name

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  4. J - always there for me
    E - my twin, laughter, memories, support,

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  5. Christine, always knows without asking.

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  6. My joint best friends-my two daughters. Kind, Funny, Loyal,Honest,Unique. They are very different considering they have the same parents, But I am incredibly proud of them x

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  7. Me. I like me a lot.

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    Replies
    1. I'm me too ....others don't don't see me the way I do ....never been popular in that way

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    2. That surprised me jason. I always thought of you as popular with friends

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    3. Think I'm a bit like marmite ( or so I've imagined ) ....bit too much for many , liked by some

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    4. Hopefully I am

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  8. No best friend just friends. I love spending time with my daughter and shall miss her terribly when she goes to New Zealand after Christmas.

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  9. Same here, no "best" friends but friends .. although there are a couple of people who are "dear" friends .. trustworthy, understanding and kind ..
    After my husband died and I went through the various stages of grief and insanity, I lost a lot of "friends" , although I don't think they were real friends to leave so easily and at such a time. I wasn't fun anymore ...
    I am being careful now- not assuming people get my wisecracks and appreciating them more and being more picky about who I consider a friend.

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  10. My daughter Fran now she lives in the uk I miss her terribly even though we talk every day .

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  11. Laura - daughter, loving, funny, beautiful, intelligent.

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  12. I have three best girlfriends (two Lauras and Berna) and they are my partners in crime! They are funny, energetic, loyal, caring and encouraging. I would have a lot less fun without them that's for sure.
    Your Nu sounds lovely.

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  13. Sam - because I've known her, her whole life and because even though we live hundreds of miles apart I can't imagine the world without her. Thankfully she's my sister as well. xx

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  14. Replies
    1. I'm loving this big up of good people

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  15. Jen, loyal, funny, obsessive, brilliant.

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  16. Christy, kind, fun, caring, listening, lovely

    She is in fact the first real friend I have ever had and until I had her I didn't actually know what real friends were.

    Since then I gained another couple of really good friends - and the same words apply to them. Sara and Wendy.

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  17. I have 2. David is funny, compassionate, smart and interested in the world around him and funny. Cathie is funny,sensible, loves to dance and has a great twinkle in her eye. We have been friends since we were 4 years old. Over 60 years.

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  18. Christine and Julie. The former because we have known each other since we were eight and now we are almost 71. We were similar, only children, quiet, bookish and full of pretend games. We lost touch for some years but we are back again now and it is like having a soft duvet we can cuddle up and talk about the very happy life we had. Julie, she is 16 years younger than myself, we met at work and she is honest, crazy, totally loyal and she is a life enriching person. I am sure I do not deserve either of them. Oh, and you John, you empower me daily. Love Andie xxx

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  19. My best friend is Bonnie...I have never met her in person or talked to her on the phone. I met her through Ancestry research (she is faintly related to my husband) and we struck up an email friendship. We never criticize each other and we don't talk about politics/religion/or the news. It's a rule lol. She inspires me daily to try new things.

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  20. Carrie is my best friend. She knows my strengths AND weaknesses and I know hers. We agree on most stuff but agree to disagree on others. we only see each other a couple of times a year but talk all the time.I love her children like they were my grandkids because they are! She is my daughter and the best person I know.

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  21. If you rule out spouses then i have none....oy vey....Hugs! deb

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  22. Two best friends. Carol: fifty years, now. She defines it as the person who will get up in the middle of the night and make up a bed for you. We told her husband it's because we know too much about each other.
    Ann:Thirty years. Like Carol, we will drop all and go support the other.

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  23. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  24. Wendy is my best friend. Without her (and you, Rachel and Tom) I don't think I could have survived the past nine months.

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    Replies
    1. And you have dearheart , you have xxx

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  25. Lisa and KA. Funny, wise, witty, and they know where the bodies are buried. We'll be friends to the grave and beyond.

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  26. Anonymous3:16 pm

    Plenty of acquaintances, workmates, and a couple of guys from my school days who I see once or twice a year, but that's it. I know you claim spouses don't count, but I beg to differ. My wife is the only person I can consider a 'best friend'. A best friend is someone with whom you share everything and who never lets you down.

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    Replies
    1. The spouse vrs best friend debate rages on!

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  27. Best friend? I don't even have A friend - assuming one excludes 'blog-pals'. My best friend used to be Blackso who passed away in July, followed by Noodles four weeks ago today. Now Patchie is the only one I can talk to, though conversation does tend to be rather one-sided. I can only suppose that the remainder of my life is going to be shorter and less happy than it otherwise could have been.

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    1. Blog friends are as valid as friends you meet physically raymondo ( except the ones that are mad as badgers) x

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    2. I for one , always seek out your comments here.

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    3. I ought to have said "friends present in the flesh", J.G. I value with high esteem all my blog-pals, naturally, though it's not quite the same as being able to talk verbally to someone when their company is needed as a real presence. Of course you knew all that anyway - as you also appreciate fully what I'm inexpertly trying to say.

      Thanks, Jan. You're extending my life! ;-)

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    4. Raybeard, I shall adopt you as a friend. xxx

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    5. Goodness me! I haven't felt so wanted in a very long while. Riches every way I turn! Thank you, Cherie. I humbly accept your offer with gratitude. XXXXX

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  28. Jill...mental illness, suicide, honesty, resilience, laughter

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  29. They are Pat, Nancy, Debra, and Gretchen.
    I've known them all for many years.
    They held me up (and still do)
    through my husband's illness and death.
    This awful time has also made me
    aware of who were not my friends.

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  30. Tony - Funny, socialist, kind, Tigers supporter
    (I was the best man at his wedding twenty nine years ago)

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  31. Sue - My womb to tomb bestie.

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  32. I don't have a best friend or a confidante. It used to bother me but now I just class myself as my best friend! :)

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    Replies
    1. There is a few here subscribing to your thought Simone x

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  33. Anonymous5:41 pm

    Walid (aka MES) - irreverent, argumentative, smart, annoying

    Traveller

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  34. Pat, We accept each other warts and all. She is a trusted friend of many. I think it is because of her honesty, there is no subterfuge with this woman. I've told her she should give lessons in how to be a good friend.

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  35. P. is everything I am not: cheeky, bold, fun, popular, gregarious. I love her for that. C. is a bit of a petulant child but we have been through 30 years and know where the bodies are buried. V. has known me since I was 9 days old and still loves me. She is kind, gentle and wise and our grandmothers were friends, her mother was my father's first love and my mother's best friend.

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  36. Wendy. She has to be, she knows too much. 😉

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    Replies
    1. Great friends could make a powerful ememy

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    2. If they would lend you a shovel, or drive the backhoe, they are keepers.

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  37. Lisa: fiercely loyal; intelligent but not arrogant and we have so much in common...especially our love of 80's mod rock and our shared Goth past.

    My mom: the one I turn to when I need advice, support or a cry. The one who brings out the best qualities in me. The one I strive to be like. It's lovely to be old enough to call your parents your friends.

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  38. don't really have one; I did have one, but he died 7 years ago.

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    1. So soory what was he like?

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    2. intelligent, kind, caring, compassionate, and he could sing! we would harmonize on 50s-60s songs. I could tell him anything without recriminations/put-downs. I still miss him.

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  39. Wow you made me count up 11 so far, warm genrous loyal and loving even when we drive each other nuts, funny, entertaining, irreverend and thats just a few of them. All busy, assorted kids and grandkids, so I do the keeping in touch I ring, I invite out, I turn up on the doorstep, and they love me. Talking to Chris tonight about this :0 :) I make more effort than she does and a lot of men and women its easy to get isolated and it takes work so I bimble about take everyone as I find them and surprise surprise they love me isnt that nice.

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  40. P.S I am known for washing up, and you always find me in the kitchen at parties.:)

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  41. I think it was the late John Wayne who said 'if you can call 5 friends at 5am in the morning to come get you if in trouble, you got it made' or words to that effect, cant't quite remember the quote. He stipulated that he meant no family but friends (and no idea why one needs to be rescued: could be a number of things, no questions asked). I am very lucky, I can call 5 special people.

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  42. Mo. Loyal, funny, kind, welcoming, trustworthy

    Kev. kind, strong, silent, soulmate

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  43. Anonymous9:32 pm

    Jan, because she is one of the few people who will actually answer an email or phone call in a decent timeframe. Others, not so much. To have friends you have to be friends.
    Sorry, more than five words.
    Debbie

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  44. Dianne, roommates at college, best friends ever since 43 yrs. Like sisters that we both never had!

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  45. Chris Roberts , we just get each other , friends for 37 yrs

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  46. Bobbie...I (met her when she was running a cash register in her parents store. Shortly afterwards she moved in with my husband, two kids, and me. I was taking art in college, soon she was too. Now she is becoming world famous with three shows going now, and I am starting in with a new media. We talk all the time. I think I am the only person left who) teases her.

    LOL

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  47. Patty-unconditional love, fun, caring and sharing. We've been friends for nearly 50 years.

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  48. Paula. Mad as a fish.

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  49. Anne.....we speak the same language, first person I 'came out' to in 1972, one of the few people that makes me laugh out loud (drives Ron crazy!!), never likes following the rules as do I, whenever we talk on phone it a conversation that continues on from where we left it.

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  50. Leah was but no longer so no best friends for me

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  51. My sister Gayle is my bestest friend, for 76 years and counting. We share laughs and tears and recipes and try not to give advice to each other.

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  52. Anonymous4:31 am

    Caroline ,we have been through childhood,, teenage years, marriages and deaths together.
    All 55 years of it ,I am 57 and she was 59 at Halloween .
    we live in 2 different countries but she is always there for me.
    Love you Muddy Puddle .
    liz 2b

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  53. Susan ( Sissy ) encouraging, giving, funny, dependable. She’s 12 years older than me. She’s the sister I never had. We take vacations together. Her family comes to my place for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

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  54. Debra, funny, honest, loyal and no longer my neighbour sadly...

    Robyn, razor witted, gossipy, honest and just down the road.

    Both great people.

    Jo in Auckland, NZ

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  55. I am so lucky to have a wide circle of friends whom I consider to be besties. Because we have that open loving relationship that is timeless. Some I only see every few years, some I see every week. People rock.

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