I’m a boring person.

I don’t like to do crazy things.

I am also not a fun and exciting friend.

But I’ve decided that while “fun” is… well fun, it isn’t the only thing I want in a friend, or the kind of friend I aspire to be.

I want to be the dependable, dedicated, and loyal friend.

I want to be the friend that you can count on to respond, to show up, and to help.

I’m convinced that 90% of being a good friend is just showing up.

That’s it.

I may feel this way because I’m not fun, I am a Hufflepuff after all.

My ideal Saturday night includes pjs, Netflix, and lights out by 10pm.

Boring, I know.

I value dependability and stability.

Wearing a giant bear head and dancing in a store has no appeal to me (unless AsthmaMan is doing it and then it’s just HILARIOUS). Impromptu dance parties make me shudder, and toilet papering someone’s house just seems like a waste of time and money, not to mention a GIANT mess at this point.

I’m just not that person.

I hear this kind of friend is fun… to be honest, I can’t verify that, because the last time I had a friend like that, I was 17 and my brain wasn’t fully developed… but I remember it being fun.

I’m not looking for this type of friend.

I feel a little bit terrible admitting that, but I think one of the great thing about being in my thirties, is that I know myself well enough to acknowledge my preferences.

These friends aren’t bad, they just, well meant for someone more exciting then me.

I’m looking for dependable friends.

Friends that are… well boring.

Friends that are looking to laugh, share experiences, and… show up.

I’m looking for the friend that is willing to pick you up when you have a flat tire, and the friend that sits with you at the pool or the park and just tells one hilarious parenting fail story after another.

The friend that wants to go to Chick Fil-A because who doesn’t need a frosted lemonade (everyone needs one) or a chicken biscuit.

I’m looking for the friend that recommends recipes, books, and shows. The one you trade crafty tips with. The friend that signs their kid up for the same sports teams so you can remind each other of games times and chat with while the kids play.

The friend that lives 1200 miles away and still sends a text every once in awhile to check in and make sure that you’re surviving.

I’m looking for the friend that just shows up. She doesn’t always have to be put together, happy, or ready to chat it up.  She just has to show up.

I’m looking for the friend that has bad days and is willing to admit it.

The friend that knows that being a mom is rough, and is willing to laugh with you and say “yeah that sucks”.

The friend that still wants to talk to you even if your kids are hellions, even if you yell, forget a play date, and sometimes (ok often) make no sense when you talk.

These friends are… awesome.

These are the dependable ones, the Hufflepuffs of the world.

They are sweet, loyal, and dedicated.

These are the friends that visit you in the hospital and deliver your favorite treat, coo over your baby, and let you admit that giving birth is the worst.

These are the friends that help you work out parenting dilemmas, the friends you talk to you when you can’t believe how insensitive your husband was, and the friends you share cheesy chick flicks with.

These are the people that you need in your life, well scratch that, these are the people I need.

They show up, they respond, they want to help.

They may not always be the first ones to offer a home cooked meal, or watch your kids for you, they are Hufflepuffs after all, and as we all know, Hufflepuffs keep the home fires burning, but they aren’t always the most forward people.

They don’t tell you what you want to hear, they tell you what you need to hear. These friends will tell you that sometimes… sometimes… you have to suck it up and be a big girl.

These are the friends that assume, despite the bad days, that you are a smart and capable person. They are the friends that know you’ve got this, even if “getting this” means you’re  letting your kids watch a bit too much TV and only serving corndogs because you’re tired, sick, pregnant, etc.

These friend may not be the “cool” girls, but they are awesome.

That’s it, they’re just awesome, and we all need a little bit more awesome in our lives.