I’ve been in close communication with a far-away friend recently. Texts, emails, etc… And, in nearly all of my recent exchanges with her, I’ve made it a point to call her “friend.” This word means a lot to her, and she uses it regularly when she’s addressing friends. I want to speak her heart’s language, so I intentionally and consciously call her “friend.”

I’ve thought about that word a lot lately. About what that word means. About what it means to her, to me, and to the English language.

I’m realizing that this word – friend – is probably one of the most important words in our vocabulary.

It holds so much meaning, so much symbolism, so much relationship, so much knowing, so much truth.

What does this word mean to you?