What is a Friend?

I was answering questions to one of those "silly quizzes"...I think this one was about one's Real Age. One question kinda had me befuddled.

How many good friends do you have?

How many friends do you have?

It was something like that. It got me to thinking about friendship.

I had a hard time answering the first question. What is a good friend? What is "a friend"? What is an "acquaintance"? (I am now looking at how I don't put my quotation marks in the right place..and hoping spellcheck will help me with the rest.........shit, I was such a good speller most of my life).

For me, a good friend is someone who loves you no matter what your "negative personality traits" might be. They know they have their own and forgive yours. [this does not include psychotic, unreliable, or just crazy behavior....drunk or sober]

A good friend can be counted on in an emergency...a real, true emergency. They will come thru.

A good friend is someone you can easily talk and and laugh with...you see the sparkle in one an other's eyes.

A good friend is inclusive. They call you, invite you, etc. They also tell you their troubles. They can "be real" with you and feel safe about it...and you with them.

Good friends...well, it takes time and nurturing..like any relationship. I guess you'll know if you have a real friend if they clearly take the time, are inclusive, and clearly care about you..and are trustworthy.

What are your thoughts about good friends?