Who Let the Air Out?

Friendships can be funny things. There are some people who are friends with everyone… and I mean EVERYONE. Case in point – Ron A. – a guy I dated a few years ago. Everyone loved this guy and flocked to him in droves. Unfortunately he turned out to be a liar and a cheat but he could charm his way out of any situation and he knew it. Played the sympathy card and I bought it… until I found out he lied and cheated. But, regardless, people still LOVED him (not me). Yet, I digress from the original intent of this post. Then there are types of people who don’t have gaggles of friends but they make several close friends. I happen to be one of those types of people. I can be friendly with anyone but only have a few really close friends, to whom I am fiercely loyal.

So, I’m finally getting to the intent of this post… How do you know when you have forged that tight friendship? You both are willing to let the air out of someone’s tires. For you, that may be a metaphor, but for me it is what it is. I’m not sure how many years ago this started with my friend Kristin and I, but when one of us has been wronged in any shape or form, especially by anyone of the opposite gender, we offer to go let the air out of the offending party's tires, even if it means driving or flying across the country to do it. Have we ever let air out of tires before for this reason? No. But that is beyond the point. It does not discount the fact that if we really wanted it done it would be accomplished. It’s our way of expressing that we’ve got each other’s back and are willing to inflict a little or a lot of pain as the case warrants on anyone that dares to hurt our friends.

The point is, you know you have a close friend when they are willing to do something for you that you can’t (physically, emotionally, mentally) do for yourself.