What Are Friends and What They Mean to Me Friends, to me, are the people I trust enough to actually talk to. And when I say “talk to,” I mean really talk to —the kind of conversation that costs spoons, not just the small social talk we do to survive day-to-day life. When I open up to someone, it’s sacred. I don’t do that easily. I don’t have many friends, so when I choose to share my energy with someone, I cherish those connections deeply. Miranda is probably the closest friend I have. I rely on her—maybe more than I should—but she’s always there. She’s my protector, especially at work. Sometimes, she notices I’m spiraling before I even realize it myself. John is the wise one. His advice has carried me through some really dark times. He’s like my grounding voice. Chaz may no longer be at our store, but he still checks in. His voice has a calming effect like no one else’s. He still plays an important role in my life. Mikey is like a brother. His ADHD has him all ov...