Having Things in Common Doesn’t Make a Friend

I’ve already talked about what a true friend is, but I think there is one thing people still misunderstand - having things in common with someone doesn’t make a friend, either. A lot of times friendships can seem close because the two people have so much in common, when in reality that is as far as the friendship goes. Now, mind you, I am not saying that all friendships in which the two people have things in common are shallow friendship, but we should not limit ourselves to only friends that like the same sorts of things as we do.

A couple years ago I had a personal blog that I shared with a good friend of mine. One day we got a comment from somebody called “MaidenCapitolaBallot.” I clicked on her name to look at her profile, saw that she was 20, and exited. (I was nearly fourteen at the time.) What could I possibly have in common with a 20 year old? I wondered.
Well, not a whole lot, to be honest. Except for the fact that we both love Jesus, writing and old fashioned things we’re complete opposites. She’s a tom boy, I’m a girly girl. I like romantic books/movies, she likes adventurous ones. I’m talkative, she’s quiet. I’m a city girl, she’s a country girl. We even look opposites! I’m very tall with medium brown hair and fair skin; she’s petite and sunburned with very dark brown hair.

But you know what? She’s one of my best friends. She’s my SOS - my sweet older sister. She’s Heather, and I don’t know what I would do without her. She helped me get through my difficult, trying fifteenth year, and patiently put up with all my whining when I didn’t particularly feel like growing up. She keeps me from becoming too grown up and lady like by dragging me off on explorations and up trees whenever she gets the chance and encourages me in everything I do. And it’s not just the things she does for me - I love her, and I love doing things for her. I know that despite our differences we’re going to be best friends forever.