Friend: One attached to another by affection or esteem.
— Webster’s Dictionary
That’s the official definition, but come on… is that really all a friend is?
I don’t think so.
To me, a friend is someone who shows up when you don’t need them—just because they want to. And they’re there when you do need them, no questions asked. They leave you alone when you want space, and they hover close when they know you need someone—even if you don’t say a word.
A true friend is a constant reminder that you’re not alone in this world. They let you be yourself, without fixing, changing, or expecting you to wear a mask.
History—and fiction—are full of incredible examples of friendship. Some unlikely. Some iconic. All powerful.
🔷 5 Real-Life Best Friend Pairings
- Nikola Tesla & Mark Twain
– The inventor and the writer. An unlikely pair, yet deeply connected. Twain often visited Tesla’s lab, once even volunteering for an experiment that nearly launched him across the room. - C.S. Lewis & J.R.R. Tolkien
– The minds behind Narnia and Middle-earth. They were part of the Oxford writing group The Inklings, pushing each other to write better, think deeper, and question the world with imagination and faith. - Martin Luther King Jr. & Ralph Abernathy
– Civil rights giants, side-by-side through every march, speech, and arrest. Abernathy was more than King’s ally—he was his brother in the movement and carried on after King’s death. - Matt Damon & Ben Affleck
– Hollywood’s golden friendship. From childhood pals to Oscar-winning screenwriters, they’ve stuck together through the thick and thin of fame, fortune, and everything in between. - Susan B. Anthony & Elizabeth Cady Stanton
– Titans of the women’s suffrage movement. They wrote speeches, formed organizations, and fought for equality together for over 50 years. A friendship with purpose and power.
🔶 5 Fictional Best Friend Pairings
- Samwise Gamgee & Frodo Baggins (The Lord of the Rings)
– Sam doesn’t just follow Frodo—he carries him. Through fire, shadow, and despair. Possibly the most loyal companion ever written. - Spock & Captain Kirk (Star Trek)
– Logic and emotion. Reason and instinct. Their friendship shows that connection can transcend species, worlds, and even centuries. - Hermione Granger & Harry Potter (Harry Potter)
– Yes, Ron’s part of the trio—but Hermione is often the emotional compass. She supports Harry not just with smarts, but with fierce, unwavering loyalty. - Sherlock Holmes & Dr. John Watson (Sherlock Holmes)
– One’s brilliant and cold. The other, grounded and kind. But together, they’re better. Sherlock needs Watson more than he’ll admit—and that’s the heart of it. - Woody & Buzz Lightyear (Toy Story)
– From rivals to brothers. Their story is about change, forgiveness, and growing into the kind of friend someone needs, even if you weren’t built that way.
Bonus: Pinky & The Brain (Animaniacs)
– The mouse with the plan and the mouse with… the poyt. One dreams of world domination, the other just wants to sing about cheese. But they always come back to each other. Every. Single. Night. That’s friendship, folks.
There are so many more I could name—Billy Crystal, Whoopi Goldberg, and Robin Williams had a beautiful bond. Laurel and Hardy made the world laugh together. The list goes on.
But the point is this:
A friend isn’t someone you can easily define. It’s someone you trust. Someone who gets you. If you’re lucky, you’ve had a few of those in your life—especially during childhood, when your core group meant everything. And somehow, even when life pulls us in different directions, those early friendships linger. In memory. In spirit. Sometimes even in unexpected messages years later.
So make as many friends as you can. There are no boundaries—age, background, species, or spark plug configuration. If they make you feel seen, they’re worth keeping.
See ya tomorrow,
Skwirl out.
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