The Opposite of Control: True Friendship
I’ve often joked that my friends seem to live by one simple rule: do the exact opposite of what I suggest. If I tell them to take the safe route home, they’ll find a detour. If I advise them not to text that ex at 2 a.m., they’ll do it before I finish my sentence. Over time, though, I’ve realized this isn’t actually a sign of them ignoring me or not valuing my opinion, it’s just part of being human and wanting to make your own choices. And honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’ve stayed close with my friends for so many years because I choose to support them even when I disagree with their decisions. That doesn’t mean I always understand or approve, but it means I’m willing to stand by them regardless. I let them be their full, messy, complicated selves, and when they fall apart after that 2 a.m. text or end up lost on that risky detour, I’m there to pick them up. I’ve learned that true friendship isn’t about controlling or fixing someone’s path, it’s about walking beside them,...