Sustainability in relationships is surprising especially where there was not general bonhomie before. We make friends with a diverse group of people as we grow older and find ourselves moving in even more diverse circles professionally and socially. There are multiple studies investigating why people become friends but they’re based on probability and statistics, which render certain scientific-evidence-based overview of friendships, but I don’t believe many of us would tamper with the existing social and emotional dynamic with the people we love and cherish and put scientific labels on it.

There are some friendships based solely on the fact that the two people share one similar interest and thus they have their paths cross at those points in their life which also coincide with the execution of such interests. There are those friendships that go beyond a mono-focused interest or activity base, rather the emotional bond percolates more aspects of personal life of both the friends to the extent that important decisions which alter the lives of people are influenced too.

I have been blessed to have a few such deep relationships with people from both the aforementioned categories (there are more, however in my experience it is broadly divided in the two). It isn’t so from the very first day you meet them though. I can clearly remember my initial years at school where my introvertedness was at a peak and I had fewer friends than the fingers on my hand. The situation is much different now and I am happy for it. So it is also true for me that childhood was a peculiar time where there was often a lot of friction between the people (i.e. kids) in the way they treat each other. If not you, then at least I had that with some people then without whom I can’t imagine the life I would have today.

It is an evolutionary process I feel, where people adapt to protect each other’s vulnerabilities thereby enhancing longevity and happiness.

That’s how it’s been for me so far anyway.

-Tanmay