Everyone is looking for that “special someone” in life; that person that you can always count on. You are able to hang out with them, feel comfortable with them, and can talk to when you have a problem. Whether it is through friendship or love, everyone looks for the same characteristics. Friendship is defined as a relationship with trust, loyalty, and respect. The three fundamentals of friendship, which need to work hand in hand. Without one of the three fundamentals, you do not have the true definition of friendship. With this definition in mind, friendship is like love because like friendship, a relationship with love also involves those same characteristics; trust, loyalty, and respect.

When you are in love with someone you have to be faithful towards your partner. Although faithful and loyal are similar characteristics, there is a small distinction between the two words that makes a big difference. You are loyal to someone as in you are always there for them. However, you are faithful to someone because you are always there for them and for only them. Also, love is considered a deeper commitment than friendship. However that is irrelevant in the analogy of friendship being like love because if that were the case then there would be a distinction between the two.

Many people would argue that friendship and love are not alike, because there are different types of friendship, such as acquaintances, friends, and best friends. This is true, but there are also different types of relationships with love. Although love cannot be broken down into the same categories as friendship is, there are different types of love, such as love that you have for a significant other, love for a family member, and love for an object.

Acquaintances, friends, and best friends are the different types of friendships, but even those can be broken down farther. There are different types of friends that fill a certain need for you. You have those friends that you tell your secrets to, those friends you go to when you are upset and are looking for a good laugh and want have a good time, and then there are those friends that you go to, when you want to go out to dinner or go shopping. With love of a significant other, one person is expected to fill all those needs. Because like a friend, a loved one will be there for you whenever you need them.

Although there are a few differences between friendship and love, friendship is also like love in many ways. One example is with the wedding vow concept. Wedding vows often state, “I will be yours in times of plenty and in times of want, in times of sickness and in times of health, in times of joy and in times of sorrow, in times of failure and in times of triumph. I promise to cherish and respect you, to care and protect you, to comfort and encourage you, and stay with you, for all eternity.” This statement is applying to love for a significant other, but also applies to the rules of friendship. A friend will be there for you at all times, just like a loved one is expected to; through the good times and the bad times. The reason why they are always there for you in both the good and the bad is because in both friendship and love, in the end, the good always outweighs the bad.

Friendship is like love for many reasons. The most important and basic is in the definition; a relationship with trust, loyalty, and respect. Best friends define friendship because they have proven their trust, because they have continually shown their loyalty, and because there is mutual respect. It is that special person who you trust with your secrets and know would always be there for you. You can tell them anything and know they will never judge you and always respect you and your decisions. Love and friendship both involve similar emotions. Although it is said that loves emotions are stronger than friendship, they are the same nonetheless. In both the relationships of friendship and love, there is a strong bond between two people.