Common Interests
I felt an immediate affinity toward Sabrina--we share a wealth of common interests. We are both avid Jane Austen fans. We love antique and/or traditional furniture and both collect
antique dishes. Visiting her home, built at the turn of the 20th century, is like stepping back into a world of beauty, quality, and grace. She graduated with a History major, specializing in Medieval Studies. If you look at my reading list, you will see I am obsessed with history. She is a registered genealogist; I am also drawn to the history of ancestors. We share the same passion for quality food and cooking--it must be butter! No margarine. The recipe should be followed exactly, or the result falls far from perfection (unless your creativity breaks loose). Finding a friend with so many common interests is rare; finding such a friend in Marshall, Missouri, is next to impossible. Sadly, Sabrina is moving possibly in January.Common Experiences
Terry and I enjoyed living as roommates at BYU-Idaho many years ago. She was the life of the apartment, always coming up with fun things to do, and decorating for holidays. She was from rural Shelley, Idaho, and I was reared in Los Angeles, California. Our backgrounds and cultures were very different, but we had a great time doin
g things together. In this photo, she is wearing my dress (with her apron over it), and I her's. I was a city girl from southern California, and did not remember ever seeing snow falling. Terry introduced me to my first real snow blizzard--a fantastic experience of wonder and delight. The only time I saw Terry get mad was on a Sunday morning when she was sewing the ruffle at the hem of her dress before Church meetings. We teased her, another roommate telling her she would have to unpick all those stitches with her nose when she got to heaven.In 2006 we moved to Roosevelt, Utah, to be closer to our family. On our first day at Church, when I sat down in the Relief Society meeting, someone sat next to me and gently said, "Excuse me, but I think you were my roommate." I looked at her (she now had short, curly hair, and wore glasses), threw my arm around her, and said, "Terry!!!" I enjoyed immensely my short stay in Roosevelt, serving as Relief Society secretary with Terry as the President. We renewed our friendship, and had many long, heart-felt talks. Her life is devoted to service to family, Church, and community, and I feel great satisfaction is witnessing the success of her life.
Common Friendships
Many times we meet and enjoy friendships with friends of our friends. This can happen through friends of roommates, playing on sports teams, and through associates at a place of employment, as well as a wealth of other situations.Common Childhood
Some of the deepest friendships are developed by growing up together and sharing experiences from different ages and phases of life. I still maintain contact with the three friends I enjoyed as a child -- Patty, Debi, and Lorraine. When I am around them, parts of my personality, long suppressed, resurface. There is something about a friend from your childhood that helps you remember you were somebody before you were Mrs. So-and-So, and mother of many. Someone liked you just because you are you.
Common Bloodlines and Family Relations
Very often the most enduring friendships are those with family members. Family times are the most fun and rewarding. Sitting around the table after a meal is much more entertaining than any TV show or movie. Because we know we can be together throughout the eternities, it seems a small task to forgive and love one another in spite of our many short comings. My husband, children, parents, and siblings are my greatest friends.
The very best friendship should be that of spouse. My best friend is Lorenzo.
Reasons People Acquire Friends
- Companionship - to not be lonely.
- Likability - enjoyment of someone's company and spending time with them.
- Comfort - feeling at ease and relaxed with a certain person.
- Entertainment - to be amused.
- Security - it is easier to go places and do things when accompanied by a friend. People feel comfortable having someone to talk to, so they don't feel awkward standing around alone.
- Charity - possessing genuine love, and wanting to make someone else happy by being a good friend.
- Protection - there is safety in numbers.
- To Get Gain - some use so-called friendship to benefit financially, or through popularity.
- To Meet Other Friends - friendships lead to more friends.
- To Please Friends - associating with a friend's friend will usually bring happiness to said friend.
