How many really best friends do you have???

[a kennedy]

My two are gone......my sister who died of melanoma, and my one really, really best friend died of breast cancer. I got no one. Just asking who do you have as your really, really best friend.

[CottonBear]

1. I have 3, but they all live far away.

Two who I’ve known since grade school and one since college.

[a kennedy]

12. I am so jealous that they are still alive.....

[CottonBear]

36. I am so very fortunate to have them in my life.

I am so grateful to have my DU friends here!
Please take care and know that you have a friend in me!

[a kennedy]

40. Thanks.......

[onecaliberal]

2. I have 2 but one is across the country.

I haven’t seen a lot of the other one because of covid

[a kennedy]

13. So happy they are alive and that you can contact them if and as often as you like.

[onecaliberal]

29. Yes, true. Very fortunate.

[MaryMagdaline]

3. One plus very close siblings - six

[a kennedy]

14. So jealous........

[Rorey]

4. I'm so sorry

That's a lot to go through.

I have one best friend besides my adult children and two daughters-in-law. I really do feel like they're my best friends too. They're always there for me and have helped me get through some very difficult times, and they know I'm always there for them too.

My circle is really pretty small, and I like it that way.

[a kennedy]

15. Love that they are there for you and alive......

[Rorey]

21. We DU folks can be pretty good support

I know it's not the same as a best friend, but we're here for you.

[a kennedy]

31. I know, I do consider all the Du'ers my friends........just not my BEST....

but love you all.

[dweller]

5. 1

of course ... but I have really good friends too, and family, and my neighbor, she’s really friendly .. and cashiers at the grocery are smiley too ...

I think most humans are open to kindness and support

Fatnixon has a small coterie of slavering idiots that thankfully gather in packs,
so I can avoid them ...

✌🏻

[a kennedy]

18. and of course you're right, lots of smiles, but......the need for a BEST friend

never gets filled unless you have one.

[dweller]

23. I guess as they say

the only way to have 1 is to be 1 ...

I believe you will find another too ... 🙏

✌🏻

[a kennedy]

25. Thank you.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

6. I'd say I have 3.

One a man I worked with starting almost fifty years ago. We speak on the phone every single day now.

The other two are women I met at different points in my life, and I do feel very close to them. They are all a year or two older than I am, which is a strong reminder I need to make some younger friends.

[a kennedy]

20. I am so jealous of them.......and damn, we all need young friends to mentor, learn and

love from......

[Kath2]

7. You were fortunate to have those two.

I can truthfully say I have no one. And I never have. I was forced to become very adult at a very young age and I thought of the "best friend" thing as childish, even when I was a child. I envy people who have good friends. I do not. The people closest to me are associates, not friends.

[a kennedy]

9. I just want to give you a hug.......

I miss these women sooooooooooo much, I NEED A BEST FRIEND THROUGH ALL THIS STUFF THAT’S GOING ON. I want to again to give you a hug,

[Kath2]

16. Thank you, sister.

And I am truly sorry that you lost your loved ones.

[jrthin]

8. I am sorry for your loses.

I have 2 best friends. One is my husband and the other is my upstairs neighbor who I've know for the past 25+yrs. My circle of friends is small, and as one poster commented, I like it that way.

[a kennedy]

32. You are lucky for them......a husband as a best friend is awesome.....and a neighbor??

So great......and I’m jealous.

[NRaleighLiberal]

10. 1. my wife.

2 really, really good friends, but not best (work buddies for 20 years)
my two girls - great friends, but not best friends

[a kennedy]

33. Awwwwwwwww your wife, that is so great, and work buddies??? Perfect.....

daughters??? they can’t be best friends, they are your daughters, completely different category.

[MyOwnPeace]

11. Interesting question............

and how would you define "best friend?"

Someone you could tell "anything" to and not "lose" them?
Someone you could call "anytime" and they would be there if you needed them?
Someone that's been there with you/for you through thick & thin and is still there?

That's my idea of a best friend - and I've actually got a couple of stages or levels that I'd consider:

People you've worked with and could/would help.
People that are your neighbors that could/would help.
Moderate/distant family that could/would help.

But "best friends" - yeah, they're special - and as life goes on they become like vintage wine - just the best!

TOP SHELF: 3 (I was married twice - 2 of them were my "best man!&quot

NEXT TIER: 3 (people I've worked with over the years)

I was an only child - no sibs or close relatives to speak of - thus no family issues.

EDIT!
Just read some of the earlier entries and must add: MY WIFE was my best friend - lost her 10 years ago to MS.
I never should have left her out of the discussion - she was the world to me.

[a kennedy]

22. OMGOSH.......this is what I was saying......

and how would you define "best friend?"

Someone you could tell "anything" to and not "lose" them?
Someone you could call "anytime" and they would be there if you needed them?
Someone that's been there with you/for you through thick & thin and is still there?

Yes, yes, yes........

[mitch96]

17. I'm kinda blessed with five. Long time friends...... I mean my besty and I met when we were 5!

we both remember seeing each other from across the street My other is my girl friend when I was 15.. we are still good friends that talk and text on a daily basis. My other is up in Maine and we met when we were 16. The last is a girl I worked with 30 years ago and we still talk about every other day... Yup, I'm blessed.
My other buddy who I met at 16 turned out to be a tRumper and had to cut him off. I miss the Old version of him, not the political animal he turned into. I email him and his wife (good buddy too) on their anniversary every year but that's about it.......
m

[a kennedy]

24. I am so jealous.......they are alive and in your life.

[mitch96]

55. One thing I've noticed with old friends is i'll put up with a lot of their bullshit. More so than

New "friends". They say or do something stupid I'll call them on it and we discuss it and it's over.
New people, if they are jerks I just cut them loose. I've got my "squad"...
m

[yonder]

19. I'm down to one - my wife - which is what matters.

l lost a best friend of 35 years to an accident about 5 years ago. He got careless cleaning a gun.

[a kennedy]

26. So sad for your loss of him......but it's great your wife is your best friend....

[yonder]

28. Thank you. Your post got me to thinking about him.

[a kennedy]

35. I just want a best friend now and you should call him right now......

And so jealous he is alive so you could call him...

[blueinredohio]

27. None. It seems every time I thought I had a friend turns out they only wanted something from me.

Be it money, helping them out but when I need help they are long gone or my husband. I have acquaintances but not friends.

[a kennedy]

30. Damn......I know acquaintances are ok, but damn......a best friend is a gift from the universe.

So glad you’re here on DU, and DU is a good friend gathering......

[blueinredohio]

53. Yes, DU is a godsend. Especially these last four years.

I thank each and everyone of you.

[MyOwnPeace]

56. Ha!

If you want a lot of "friends," get a pick-up truck!!

Seriously, too bad things turned out that way.........

[Generic Brad]

34. Just my wife

My disinterest in religion and quiet support for Democrats is apparently too radical, liberal, fanatical, and criminal fit those less logical.

[a kennedy]

47. Perfect then.......

[kacekwl]

37. One that I haven't

seen in almost two years.

[mnhtnbb]

38. For many years my second husband was my best friend

but that eventually changed when I no longer could tell him anything. Made it very apparent to me I'd made a mistake in letting go of women whom I would have previously considered best friends.

Now I have two: one woman I met when we moved to Chapel Hill in 2000. For the last couple of months we've been able to get together on her deck. As it gets colder, we may have to give up being able to see each other in person.

My other best friend I met when married to my first husband in the mid '70's when her husband and mine worked together. They still live in California so I don't see her often, but we text or talk frequently. Not every day, but often.

It makes a difference knowing there is someone who would always be there for you.

[a kennedy]

41. OMGAWD.....I HATE YOU FOR THESE BEST FRIENDS........

HOw do I even say how so lucky you are for these friends........I am soooooooooooooooooooooo jealous of them.

[Marthe48]

39. I'm sorry for your losses

Losing a friend leaves a special feeling of grief. I have lost several friends over the years, and still miss them and think about them. My best friend and I have been best friends for over 60 years and I have a better relationship with her than with my sister. We live about 120 miles apart now, but over the years stayed in touch by letter, phone, texting, facebook and visits. I have some dear local friends, such as my husband's cousin and her family, my neighbor, other neighbors. I stayed in touch with 2 friends from college and another from high school. I've had a penpal since 1979. We have not met, but I hope to see her someday. One of my friends from another town is in the hospital right now with a heart problem. I'm hoping she'll pull through. She is younger than I am, and it was shocking to hear about her today. I've been wanting to count my blessings lately, especially my friends. Thanks for giving me a place to talk about them

I hope you meet people you will love and trust as friends.

[a kennedy]

44. You are making me cry uncontrollably.........how wonderful a group of friends make

me and I’m sure others, feel so thankful for our best friends, and others that just make having friends get us through these times.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

42. My cat and maybe my ex.

[a kennedy]

45. Hey, they are the bestest of best friends.

[csziggy]

43. One - and I married him over 43 years ago

I got hurt by too many people who pretended to be "besties" when I was young, so I don not open up with most people. My sister had given me the advice to marry my best friend, so I did. She's been married since 1972, I've been married since 1977 so it was very good advice.

[a kennedy]

46. Love this and there is your best friend.......your sister.

But you knew that anyway.

[csziggy]

48. Growing up, she was not my most compatible sister

Our oldest sister was that, even though she and my older sister (the current one) were closest in age. We lost our oldest sister in 1993 and it took my sister years to recover.

After our father died, and our little sister proved to the world what an asshole she was, I decided the best thing I could do for my other sister was to make her life as easy as possible. She had to take on Mom's care and interceding to prevent abuse by our little sister and her daughter - literally.

I couldn't be there, but I could let my unload all her anger and frustrations. Both her husband and mine got tired of hearing about it, but I could take on that task - and did not ask her for anything. We spend a lot of time on the phone and it is a good release for her.

Since Mom died, she's been brilliant at clearing Mom's house, taking care of business, and sorting through the piles of accumulated crap Mom and Dad left. I did what I could - compromised on what I wanted to prevent arguments, and got my stuff the heck out of the way to spur everyone else into making their choices and moving their stuff.

In the process, she and I have gotten a lot closer than we ever were. It's great - but we each have our husbands as our besties.

[a kennedy]

49. Wow........and whew.......but in the end you and your sister are best friends as well.

[csziggy]

50. Yeah, it's been rough but we just keep on keeping on

[Codeine]

51. 1ish. Close friends maybe four.

But they all live a significant distance from me, so even prepandemic we didn’t see each other often.

[Harker]

52. One and only.

My wife.

[Buckeye_Democrat]

54. Zero at the moment.

Several good friends when I was in school long ago.

I always get new friends whenever I'm working, but they never persist after I leave those places. They're usually married with kids, work long hours, have daily problems that keep them occupied, etc.

Still have four siblings, one of whom is a religious-fanatic who I'll continue to tolerate despite the annoyances.

Edit: So sorry about your recent family losses!