I originally wrote this over 10 years ago [01/23/2015] but it’s still so true. I’ve made a few edits from the original post, but all my promises are the same ♥

First and foremost, friends are awesome. Some lucky folks have had their best friends for decades and some people find their platonic soul mates later in life. It doesn’t matter where or when you found them.

When I was younger, lists of loyal friend traits were thinks like:
– I will tell you when *he* is bad idea
– I will hold your hair back in the basement of any fraternity
– I will help you study until 3am in the lonely library

And while those are great promises of friendship in the early years of adulthood, your needs eventually change and your village hopefully evolves with them.

Here’s my adult edition…

1. I promise to always answer your text/call/email/Facebook comment…eventually
I might not get to it until I clock out. I might have passed out at 8:30 pm and I’ll reply at 7 am as I roll out of bed. It may take 2 days, but I will respond.

2. I promise to make time for Girls’ Night
We might have to reschedule if your kid gets sick or your husband has the night off, but we will meet and enjoy margs and binge on nachos and complain about dumb people.

3. I will never judge your martial/relationship problems
Speaking of dumb people… I will never ever judge your weird sex stories or commitment doubts. I will offer advice when asked and check in to make sure you feel happy and loved in your relationship. And I will share my trials & tribulations, too. Lol

4. I will hate your ex with you
This is totally petty, but I will hate on your ex with you. I will ignore him or her in public and shoot them the same dirty looks I perfected in the halls of high school. You broke up 15 years ago? Babe- if you’ve got a grudge, I’ve got a grudge 😘

5. I will always pass on “good things” to you
If I read a good book or make a good dinner or watch a good movie I promise to pass it on to you.

6. I will go with you
Of course I will go shopping with you or to the movies, but I will also come with you to an exercise class or awkward family function or scary doctor appointment. All you have to do is ask and we can face it together.

7. I will tease you
Thinking about getting a dog from a breeder? I will for sure harass you about not adopting. Did you cry about pickles while you were pregnant? Yep, I have that video saved. I tease you because I love you (and I expect to get it back).

8. I will visit you and/or keep in touch- no matter where we end up
Technology makes it kind of easy, but I will also travel for face-to-face visits, too.

9. I love your children
[Edited in 2026] I will always love your offspring. I will babysit for free, shower them with birthday gifts, and take them to the zoo. I love you and they are a part of you. I will never put your kid down or judge your baby names.

10. When things get bad you can lean on me
As we age, so do those around us. When your spouse gets sick or your family members pass away I will be there for you. If divorce happens, I will stand by your side and carry whatever burdens I can. Good, bad, easy, hard- I’ll be there.

Back in 2015 I had several friends in mind when I wrote this. They’re the same people I love today, plus another half dozen I’ve been lucky enough to collect in the past decade. In an age where loneliness is a mental health epidemic, I feel so blessed knowing I have friends that would return each and every promise ❤️

-Aud