matcha latte on a rainy night

I’ve never been the type to roll deep with a huge friend group. I guess it’s because I’m more on the introverted side, and striking up conversations or forging new friendships hasn’t always been my strong suit. Funny thing is, I’ve gotten way better at it over time – to the point where I sometimes surprise myself by how easily I can chat up strangers now (which might have something to do with my job, since it’s pretty outgoing work for an introvert like me). As time’s gone by, sure, I’ve drifted apart from some friends, but I’ve also met some incredible new people who’ve become part of my life. So here’s a shoutout to all my friends, old and new – each one of you has shaped my life in your own unique way, and I’m super grateful for that.

My longest-standing friend, who I’ve known since we were both about seven, is someone I met back in my girl scout days. And yes, scouting is a big deal even outside the US, especially in the town where I grew up. My Saturdays were all about adventures in the forest – building fires, getting muddy, and soaking up everything about nature and first aid. Sometimes I really miss those carefree days, but hey, I still know how to pitch a tent and start a fire, which is pretty cool (and useful!).

We’ve been through so much together over the years – loads of laughs, a few tough times, and some tearful moments, just like any solid friendship has. A while back, she decided to study abroad and ended up falling head over heels for her new city. She stayed there, and honestly, I don’t blame her – it’s a pretty enchanting place. Her move meant we wouldn’t get to hang out as much, and when she first told me she was leaving, I had this mix of feelings. I was thrilled for her, proud that she was grabbing life by the horns and shaping her future. But I was also a bit bummed, knowing our catch-ups would be few and far between. The funny thing is, we don’t text all that often, and we mostly see each other when she’s visiting family or when I finally get around to taking a city break. But every time we reconnect, it’s like no time has passed at all. We just pick up right where we left off, and it never feels like we’re worlds apart. That’s what’s so special about our friendship. We can talk about anything and everything – she knows all my stories, gets where I’m coming from, and isn’t afraid to call me out when I need it (and I do the same for her). Sometimes we just sit together in silence, each lost in our thoughts, and that’s okay too. Just being in each other’s company is enough. After every meetup, I come away feeling recharged and happy. Our friendship is effortless, honest, and just feels right. I’d even call her my ‘comfort friend’ because I know she’s got my back, no matter what. And you know what? She’s the one who sparked my love for Ireland.

I once had a really close friend, and our falling out was one of the toughest things I’ve gone through. We’d been tight since school, stuck together through our apprenticeships, and even after we took different paths, we still hung out all the time, took trips, and were pretty much joined at the hip. Of course, we had our share of spats, but our last one was the worst. It happened about five years ago during a girls’ spa weekend. Over dinner, we got into all sorts of topics – dating, marriage, kids, the works. She was dating a guy 15 years her senior, so naturally, our perspectives differed quite a bit. The conversation turned into a heated debate; she couldn’t accept my differing views, and I was pretty stubborn about my own opinions, too. The rest of the trip was just… off, with both of us tiptoeing around each other.

In the weeks that followed, we didn’t talk, and it really got to me. I kept replaying our argument, feeling guilty that I might have come across too strong or judgmental. So, I reached out to apologize for any hurtful words and tried to explain that it’s okay to have different opinions – that’s what friendship is about, right? Her reply stung. She pinned the whole argument on me and just couldn’t see where I was coming from. I made a few more attempts to clear the air and get her to understand my perspective, but it was like talking to a wall. Eventually, I was just drained from trying to justify my views, which weren’t wrong or harmful in any way. I can’t remember exactly what I said in my last message, but it was along the lines of not seeing the point in explaining any further. I told her I was sad it might end over a silly misunderstanding, that I’d give her space, and she could reach out when she was ready. But she never did. Losing her hit me hard. We’d been through so much together, and she was one of my closest friends. Still, I had to respect her choice and move on with my life. It wasn’t easy, but sometimes that’s just how it goes.

As time went on, new faces started popping up in my life. I met some while traveling, others at work, or during volunteer gigs. There was this one girl I met at a government job. We bonded instantly, united by our mutual frustration with the job and our annoying colleagues. Eventually, she made the big move to live abroad. I was a bit bummed about it, but I was also really happy for her. I even managed to visit her a couple of times, and we kept in touch for years. But over the last two or three years, we’ve kind of lost contact, which is a bummer. I still send her messages now and then, updating her on my life, but I haven’t heard back. She’s got her hands full running a farm with her boyfriend, so I get it. I don’t take it to heart when she doesn’t respond. Life gets busy, and that’s just how it is sometimes.

I met one of my closest friends while we were both volunteering, and wow, it’s been five years already. Time sure does fly. I remember walking into that classroom for our volunteer briefing, feeling a bit more on edge than usual. Meeting new people always gets my nerves jangling, wondering how we’ll get along and how I’ll fit in. But then I spotted her, with this aura of calm about her, and I just gravitated towards her seat. We were about the same age, which was comforting, and as we got to chatting, we discovered we were from the same city and even attended the same school. She was a few years ahead of me, so our paths had never crossed there. We clicked almost instantly and kept in touch long after those initial meetings, and we’re still in contact, messaging almost every week. Catching up over coffee or brunch is always so easy and natural. She’s a great listener, always has solid advice, and she’s familiar with all my ups and downs.

Her vibe is just… peaceful. She’s thoughtful, caring, and isn’t shy about sharing her opinions or opening my eyes to different perspectives. It’s the little things, like remembering my exam dates and sending me good luck texts, that show me she’s really there for me. Even if we don’t hang out all the time, I treasure every moment we spend together. I’m so grateful our paths crossed; she’s enriched my life in countless ways, and she probably doesn’t even realize how much. Flipping through my old journals, I find so many entries where I’ve written about wanting to reach out to her with whatever was on my mind. I might not have always followed through, but I know she would’ve been there to listen if I had.

So there I was on Bumble, swiping away for dates, when I thought, why not try out Bumble BFF? I ended up meeting a couple of girls through it. One friendship didn’t stick, but the other? She’s an absolute treasure. She moved to my country from overseas, and hanging out with her has given me this fresh perspective on my own backyard, pushing me to discover new spots and experiences right here at home. Every time we get together, it’s like a mini adventure – I even got to help her assemble furniture for her new place, which I secretly love doing. But it’s not all fun and games; we have our deep conversations too. I really value her outlook on life, and I’m in awe of her bravery for packing up her life and starting anew here. She’s become a bit of a role model for me in that way. It’s a bold move, diving into a place where you’re unfamiliar with the language and lifestyle, but she’s handling it with such grace. Our friendship is just so easy. We catch up a few times a week over messages, sharing the latest news, her recent escapades, or cool little discoveries. And when we do manage to sync up our schedules for a catch-up, it’s always a total blast.

It’s kind of wild that so many of my best friends are actually my coworkers. There’s this one friend in particular who’s just… she’s special, and she means a lot to me. We’ve been buddies for about two years, and boy, have we been through a lot together. Her vibe is like a burst of sunshine – whether I bump into her at the office or we’re chatting on Teams, she just has this way of making my day better. I love that we can bounce from lighthearted banter about her mischievous cat to really digging into the heavy stuff, like our true feelings and whether our jobs are truly fulfilling us. And on those days when the office vibe is just too much, one of her hugs can set everything right again. But here’s the thing – she’s got this sixth sense for when I’m not doing great. She can read me like an open book, and more than once, her simple “Are you really okay?” has caught me off guard and brought on the waterworks. It’s usually because I’m too swamped to check in with myself, and it’s a relief to be seen by someone who cares. I’m usually the cheerful, laugh-it-off kind of person, and I’m pretty good at keeping my real emotions under wraps. But she always knows when I’m not quite myself. I’ve got to admit, I’m pretty protective of her. It hurts to see her down or struggling to be recognized, especially knowing how dedicated and kind-hearted she is. She’s truly one of a kind, and I’m just so grateful we ended up at the same place. Sure, we might gripe about our jobs now and then, but doesn’t everyone?

I’ve got this friend who’s like my own personal lavender – apparently, that’s what you call someone you meet and just instantly vibe with. They show up and fit into your life as if they’ve always been there, and somehow, they bring out the best in you. That’s exactly how I’d describe this friend of mine. We only met last year, but we hit it off right away, and it feels like we’ve been friends for ages. She’s got my back in every way, the epitome of women supporting women. She looks out for me and always knows how to lift my spirits. Whenever I’m around her, I just naturally feel better, and I can be completely open and honest with her. She’s clued into my challenges and my dreams for the future, and she’s always cheering me on to chase after what will make me truly happy. She never judges; she just listens. And let me tell you, we’ve cooked up some wild ideas together – and she’s exactly the kind of person who’d dive headfirst into those crazy plans with me!

Work friends really are a breed of their own. They’re like your second family – heck, I spend more time with them than my actual family. I’m super grateful to have such a solid group of colleagues who’ve become friends I hang out with outside of work too. Here’s a funny thing: one of my closest work pals joined our company a few years back. Our first meeting was pretty memorable. I’m the early bird of our team, always the first one in the office. So there I was, heading in super early, riding up the elevator, and stepping out onto our floor. To my surprise, I saw lights on in our corner, which was odd because no one else starts that early. And guess what? I found this new colleague sitting at my desk. It was way too early for drama (even though my expression probably told a different story), so I just introduced myself, let her know that’s usually my spot, but I settled at a different desk for the day. Over the next few days, she moved to another desk, and we’ve been laughing about that particular morning ever since. Now we’re great friends. She’s full of life, always talking, always smiling, and the girl’s got like a million hobbies. I’m constantly wondering how she finds the time for it all. But she’s such a genuine, down-to-earth person, and it’s awesome having her around. We’ll have deep chats over ramen or bulgogi, or I’ll spill the latest from my dating life, and she’s all ears. In exchange, I get to hear about her latest cycling adventure. It’s just great, you know?

Over time, I’ve made a bunch of friends at work, especially at my current job. Sure, it’s always a bummer when someone moves on, but the friendships we’ve built don’t just end because we’re not sharing an office anymore. One of my close pals recently left, and even though I miss having her around, I’m genuinely happy for her – she deserves all the good things coming her way. Now, I’ve got to keep an extra eye on another friend who was tight with the one who left. We’ve started this sweet little ritual, too. Whenever we’re both in the office, she’ll swing by my desk for a chat and what she calls a “hug collection.” I’m totally here for it! And every now and then, she sends me the loveliest messages about reading my blog posts, which just warms my heart. She’s got this incredibly kind spirit, always cheering on the people she cares about, pushing them to chase their joy. I just hope I can be as supportive for her, even when my schedule’s packed.

If I had to pick a song to capture the essence of a particular friendship, it’d be One Direction’s “Perfect.” Why that song? Well, it takes me back to where we first met and, not gonna lie, we totally belted it out at karaoke. But it’s more than just a throwback tune – it kind of encapsulates our whole vibe. Despite the fact that she’s halfway across the world in a completely different time zone (which means I often wake up to an avalanche of texts from her), our chats are as cozy as if we were catching up over coffee or slurping down ramen together. She’s one of those friends you don’t come across every day. She pushes me to ponder the big stuff, to dive into topics I’d normally sidestep, which really gets me thinking. But it’s not all deep and philosophical – we also share the goofiest moments, like when we talk about cracking up at comedy shows or trying not to laugh out loud while listening to hilarious podcasts at the gym. It’s a friendship that keeps me on my toes and laughing all the way.

Each friendship in my life brings its own special flavor, and I’m all about the idea of soulmates – not just romantically, but in friendships too. I think you can have that deep, soulful connection with someone, whether or not there’s any romance involved. I’m really grateful for my tight-knit group of friends who are always there to listen, support, and get real with me when I need a reality check. Their presence in my life is something I never take for granted. They inspire me to be better every day and push me to keep growing. Even though I know I can turn to any of them during tough times, I’m still working on actually doing that. I’ve never been great at asking for help – I hate the thought of dumping my issues on someone else. But I’m slowly getting better at opening up.

I hope all my friends know just how much I love them and that I’d go to the ends of the earth for them. Sometimes, I wish they could see themselves the way I see them, especially when they’re down. I just want them to realize how truly kind, lovable, and amazing they are, each in their own unique way.