Dear Arthur - the one about the relevance of time in friendships

Dear Arthur,

As I am getting closer and closer to the end of yet another period of my lifetime, I often evaluate the things I have learnt and gained from these experiences. Spending a year in Bristol for my placement was mostly supposed to be about my profession, about work and learning about my industry. It was also an opportunity to meet new people.

I made two different types of acquaintances, I made connections, the ones useful for my future, and I made friends. But is it possible to become friends in such short time? Is time really relevant to the quality of friendship? You will see, soon enough, what really is important and what isn't; though I assume it can be different for each person.

For me, all those little things count. Having common interests and being able to spend time together sometimes aren't the aspects that make a friendship truly meaningful. But knowing those little things about each other, showing that the other's personality is interesting and important to one shows the real connection and respect between two people.

Everyone has their own little fits that make them who they are and most of the time there are reasons to why they have them. Acknowledging and respecting these make me feel cared for and listened to.

For people to do so, even after knowing them for such a short time, makes this feeling even more amazing. Just recently, two people proved to me how they have listened and they know what are those little things that grind my gears, for example a song with not so pleasant memories. On the side note, hopefully, you won't have to know which one it is, because soon it will be irrelevant to me, it just takes a little time. If anyone else who reads this knows what I am talking about, then thank you for knowing me as well.

To summarise, yes, I do believe I have made friends not just connections in this last year. Some will last after I leave, some will definitely be just a memory. But it won't be the length of time our friendship lasted that counts, more the quality of it. I hope when you grow up, Arthur, you will see it this way, and save yourself from the negativity of people, focusing on those, who make your friendship worth.

Love you always.

Moo