People come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime.
This is the opening of a poem by Brian A. 'Drew' Chalker. He seems to put friendships into three separate categories. He reminds us that not all friendships last forever, but the really special ones do.
Friends for a reason
These are friends who seem to come into your life to help you in some way. They may help you through a difficult time or offer you guidance or support.
Friends for a season
These are friends who come into your life at a certain time, for example you may study or work together. They can give you a lot of happiness, but it's only for a season, or a limited time.
Friends for a lifetime
These are the friendships which are built on a really solid foundation and last for the rest of your life.
We asked some of the members of the LearnEnglish team to tell us about one of their friendships. This is what they said.
A friend for a lifetime
I met Danielle through my housemate at university. We instantly clicked and couldn't stop talking and laughing. From the beginning, we always had millions of in-jokes that were only funny to us. Our friendship has taken us through many stages of life – student times, holidays together, different stories of love and heartbreak and her becoming a mother. She's hilarious, a brilliant thinker and the absolute best person in a crisis.
Jo G
A friend for a reason but now for a lifetime
Sally and I were online colleagues, working from different countries. Right from the word go, we hit it off! I guess it's because we had a lot in common, like living abroad, bringing up bilingual children, and we were also of a similar age. Unfortunately the project we had been working on together for about four years, which we loved so much, was coming to an end and we were the only ones left working on it. From being a wonderful, fun, vibrant work environment, it had become a stressful and sad one to work in. Luckily, because we had each other, we could moan and groan, then laugh until we had tears rolling down our faces, and we'd get through the days together. Now I can say, hand on heart, she's a friend. A good friend. I miss working with her, but I know that she is only a WhatsApp call away.
Tina
Friends for a season
I met Carl in the fourth grade in the small rural school we both went to. We got along really well right from the beginning and were both interested in the same kinds of books, movies and games, and both loved to roam around in the woods behind our houses. Although we lived in the same town, we had to go to different schools for fifth grade. We still saw each other on the weekend sometimes, but over the year got together less and less often. After another year, we lost touch completely. Years later a mutual friend told me he'd run into Carl in the city, but I never saw or heard from him. I looked him up once on Facebook, but never found him.
Kirk
Friends for a reason
When my daughter was born, I made a new friend called Emma. She had a baby the same age, and we met at a parent and baby group. When you have a new baby, things can be tough, especially when you're not getting much sleep! Neither of us had family living near, so we helped each other a lot. We used to see each other every day and did everyday things together, like going to the park or going shopping. A year or so later we both moved from that area and although we haven't kept in touch, I've got very fond memories of Emma. She was a really kind and fun friend.
Joanne
We want to hear from you!
- Tell us about one of your friendships.
- How did you meet?
- How long have you known each other?
- When was the last time you saw them?
- Do you keep in touch?
- What do you think of the idea of 'friends for a reason, a season or a lifetime'?
Write a comment and let us know. If you want to practise speaking, you can record your response using SpeakPipe voice recorder and post a link to the recording in your comment.
Go to SpeakPipe voice recorder
* Recordings are kept on SpeakPipe server for three months. Please don't include any music in your recording.
I met Dado in the fifth grade of elementary school. From the beginning, we got along very well. Since then, there have been more than 17 years of friendship. The last time we saw each other was at your wedding. We don't have much contact, but whenever we meet we remember the good times we had and the friendship remains the same. I believe that regardless of the type of friendship, the most important thing is to spend good times with people. Sometimes a friend arrives and stays in your life and sometimes not so much, it is part of life.
Friend for a lifetime.
I have a friend. I know her almost all my life. We met when we was kids. Then we went to school and university together. We live in different countries now. But we continue speaking with each other. I am very grateful that I have friend like this. As well as I hope we will remain friends.
Friendship from mind to life. When I was a kid, I had a boy who lived on the floor above me. We were born on the same day with a difference of 3-5 hours. We were friends because our parents had good comunication. Over time, we continued to communicate, we had common topics and completely different personalities. Now we are separated because of the war in Ukraine, but I know that in the future, when I need help, he will come and help me, just like me
When l was working in a city named Medellin, l met team working and friend named Nicolas. We was friends for approximately one year. While l worked in that city.
Really we do not keep in touch.
Yes, l totally agree whit idea friends for one reason, a season or a lifetime, for example we were with Nicolas friends for a season.
Hi dafmaciasg,
Thanks for sharing your story about your friendship. I think we can still value a friendship, even if we don't keep in touch with that person any more.
Jo (LearnEnglish team)
First I met my friend during the performance in town. I participated on it and she was one of the organizers. We started conversation at the end of this event. We found that we live in the same neighborhood and went home together. Since, we are good friends and bow we live together in Almaty, also we work together. We see each other every second😄. This is a friendship for lifetime.
Hi Shyraily,
Thanks for sharing your friendship story. It sounds as if you hit it off immediately and that you have a great friend for the rest of your life. You're very lucky.
Jo (LearnEnglish team)
One of my three better friends is Patty, I meet her because she studied at school with my little third sister. I know her 20 years ago. The last time I saw her was in the party meeting in her house with another friend of us and my second sister four months ago. We keep in touch through whatsapp messages. Yes this idea can be applied for us because she and my sister likes the same music and we go to a concerts many years so I think its right.
Hi sonyalbl,
I also like keeping in touch with my friends through Whatsapp. Some weeks we message more than others, but it's great to know that they're there.
Jo (LearnEnglish team)