I had lunch with my best friend the other day. We ate Mexican food and caught up on life. It had been over a month since I last saw her, but we always pick up right where we left off. There is never any awkwardness between us, because she gets me, and I get her. That hour of laughter and tacos recharged my soul.

She is my person, and has been since I was five years old. We met on the first day of kindergarten, and she knows my heart better than anyone else—even my husband. Some might think that’s odd, but we’ve grown up together, literally and figuratively. She was there when I met my husband, and long before him. She is more than a friend, she is genuinely my soul sister, and I love her to pieces. 

But here’s the thing, she is one of my few friends. I don’t have a large circle of friends, and honestly, I’ve never really wanted one. My circle is small, but fiercely loyal and incredibly supportive—they give me all that I need and then some. Of course I have a lot of people in my life who I’m friendly with, but true friends—the ones who know my secrets, my fears, and my greatest vulnerabilities—well those friends are a rare gem.

I don’t think there’s anything wrong with a large friendship network, or a fun mom group, it’s just not for me. I like the simplicity of my small circle. My friends are there whenever I need them, no further away than a text message—because none of us like talking on the phone. You won’t see me at PTA luncheons or Ladies’ Night Out events, because I’m just not that kind of girl—I don’t have it in me. I prefer a quiet night in, on my sofa. If my friends come over, we roll in sweatpants, sans bra, while sipping cheap wine, and laughing until we can’t breathe. There’s no judgement, no expectations, just complete and total acceptance.

Finding true friendship can be a lot like dating. Some friendships are instant and effortless, while others just don’t work out. Sometimes great friends grow apart due to distance or time, and sometimes you get burned by someone you thought was a friend. We’ve all seen these various friendship scenarios playout. I’ve been fortunate enough to find some of the greatest friends a girl could ask for, and as odd as it sounds, I’m content with the friends I have. I like my small circle, it suits me. This doesn’t mean I won’t make new friends, because I believe the people meant to be in our lives find us. But if these are the woman who surround me on my deathbed, I will leave this world peacefully, knowing the kind of love an acceptance that I wish for everyone.

Whether you have one true friend, or many, is irrelevant in the grand scheme of things. What matters is whether those friendships fill your cup—and as they say, my cup runneth over.

True friends love you, they encourage you, and they pick you up when you fall. They make you laugh when you want to cry, and remind you that no matter what, you’re not alone.

As long as you have at least one person by your side, you are not alone.