This is how a number of young people responded when asked "What makes a good friend?"

  • someone who will support you no matter what
  • someone you can trust and who won't judge you
  • someone who won't put you down or deliberately hurt your feelings, but will show kindness and respect
  • someone who will love you not because they feel they have to because you're their friend, but because they choose to
  • someone whose company you enjoy and whose loyalty you can depend upon
  • someone who will be there no matter what your situation is
  • someone who is trustworthy and not afraid to tell you the truth, no matter how hard it is sometimes
  • someone who can laugh when you laugh
  • someone who will stick around when things get rough
  • someone who makes you smile
  • someone who can accept you for who you are, and just lend you an ear when you need to whine or complain
  • someone who will cry when you cry
  • someone who will give you room to change.

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