The Importance of Community and Friendship: Insights from Real People
At MI Puzzles by Phil Stagg Photography, we believe in the power of community and the importance of bringing people together. Whether it's through our Waterfalls of Michigan guidebooks, puzzles, calendars, or children's book, our mission is to create products that foster connection and build strong relationships. In this blog post, we explore the essence of friendship and community through the voices of real people who shared their thoughts on what makes someone a close friend and how physical distance affects their relationships.
What Makes Someone a Close Friend?
To gain a comprehensive understanding of what makes someone a close friend and how physical distance affects friendships, we reached out to a diverse group of individuals. We gathered insights from 30 people, ranging in age from 20 to 75 years old, including both males and females. Their varied perspectives provide a rich tapestry of experiences and highlight the universal importance of friendship and community. Here are highlights from their responses:
Janine: "My closest friends are fellow Christians that I am equally yoked with. I think that if someone lives closer it’s more convenient to see each other and keep a friendship kindled."
Lauren: "I would categorize close friends as friends you communicate with more often, even if you can't spend time with them physically. Close friends could be relatives or non-relatives. Distance does not play a factor."
Shannon: "Mike, Sarah, Colleen, and Alisha. Because I can be who I am and completely honest with them. Physical distance does not affect my closeness with people."
Justin: "My wife. 😁 Vulnerability and full acceptance."
Sue: "My closest friend is Beth, whom we've considered family since we were 5. Despite living apart, we've always stayed close and support each other through everything. I've also formed strong bonds with Carolyn, Calla, Tanis, Mari, and Amy, who live nearby. Distance has never been an issue for us; we're just a phone call away."
Austin: "My closest friend is a buddy from college. He’s a believer and we share personal things with each other. Distance does affect closeness."
Joe: "My closest friend is Caleb, whom I live with. Physical distance for me is imperative. If it's out of sight, then it's out of mind."
Fred: "Closest friend is Travis. We have been close friends for years as he is in the same industry as I am. Physical separation does not change anything between us."
Tom: "My closest friends are a few guys from work and family members I have married into. Distance does affect closeness but only because it limits opportunities for physical presence."
Evan: "My closest friend is my wife and son. Close friends are people you hang out with regularly and have common interests and values."
Damon: "I have one friend I see a lot and he is probably the one I would call if I needed something."
Shea: "For me, it's the people that I know I can always count on. They are always there to listen, and we mutually encourage each other. Physical distance doesn't affect the closeness for me. My closest friends have changed over the years, but I always have a few closest/best friends. I still have very close friends from elementary school that are like sisters and brothers to me. These are people I can be real with, and they are real with me. We share a positive outlook on life and support each other through thick and thin. Negative and selfish people are not in my inner circle."
Linda: "My 3 best friends passed away with cancer, and I haven't gotten close to anyone since. We were always there for each other because they were honest, caring, and walked close to Jesus. Distance was a challenge, but we stayed connected. As I've gotten older, my husband has become my best friend, especially with our kids and grandkids moving away. We've found a deeper bond as we've leaned on each other more."
Does Physical Distance Affect Closeness?
We also asked whether physical distance affects the closeness of friendships. Here are some insights:
Elijah: "I believe distance does play a part in closeness; I have friends in college that I consider close friends but the time away from them has helped me develop deeper friendships up here."
Patsy: "Physical distance doesn’t matter! Some of the best friends are ones you don’t see or talk to for a while and when you do, you pick up as if you’ve never left!"
Caleb: "Distance does not necessarily matter. Though it can cause a drifting of once 'close' friends."
Tyler: "I have a close friend that I've known since 10th grade. We've lived cross country for more of our friendship than we have lived close."
Cole: "Gabe has been there for me, and we are so close. Physical distance affects me a little but I try my best to stay in touch with people who are far away."
Judy: "My closest friends are the ladies in my single ladies group, people in our small group, some people in the church that I've known a long time."
Additional Insights
Here are more thoughts from others on what makes someone a close friend and how distance affects their relationships:
Nathan: "There’s not enough room to write this but probably my closest friends would be, Rick, Norman, Tom, Eric, and then Matt. All of these people I served together with the Lord in some shape or fashion whether at camp or at church. Distance doesn’t matter as much."
Sueellen: "First of all, she loves the Lord Jesus with all her heart and soul! She is honest, loyal, and caring. We pray together as often as we can."
Julie: "I would say my closest friendships are family. Husband #1, sisters, brothers, and children are becoming more friend relationships now. Physical distance does not affect the friendship really."
Rose: "My closest friends are my husband and family. But it’s heavily affected by distance, as well as shared lifestyle and beliefs."
Ian: "I would say my friends from elementary school through high school and college. We see the world similarly and push each other forward through life."
Lydia: "I’d say I have 3 close friends. Distance may make a difference in how often we chat but my closest friends are 30 mins to 3 hrs away."
Grant: "I would say my closest friends are the ones who don’t just know me but understand me. Most of them live really far away."
Spenser: "I have a few close friends: Nate, whom I've known for 9 years, shares my love for deep conversations and traveling. Jonathan, bonded with me over reading and is intentional about lasting friendships. Colin, a friend of 10 years, moved 2.5 hours away but we catch up effortlessly when he's back. Chris, a newer friend, is fun and we have serious talks when needed. Lastly, Wes, a friend of about a year, is very intentional about maintaining our friendship."
Jenna: "The people that are closest to me are not actually very close to me proximity-wise. I probably have two of my closer friends live in the closer Cadillac area. My longest-time best friend of 29 years lives in Rockford, and we pick up right where we left off whenever we meet. This journey of re-evaluating my friendships, focusing on a small, close-knit group, has taught me to value nurturing and supportive friendships, freeing my heart from anxiety."
Deb: "I only have a couple close friends. We are there for each other through good and bad."
Tammy: "Almost none. My immediate family are my closest friends and that is who I spend my time with."
Heather: "I have three closest friends. One has been my best friend for 29 years; we met as single moms and have supported each other through life's challenges. Another is like a mom to me, offering wisdom and support since my own mom passed. My third close friend and I met at work eight years ago and clicked immediately. Proximity is important to me; my 'mom' friend is moving to Colorado, which will be hard, but my other close friend lives nearby, and we see each other often. These friendships are built on love, grace, and understanding."
Jeremy: "If you count family, I’d say my brother who is 2hrs from me. We think alike, have a lot of similar interests."
Laura: "I would say my closest friends are my parents and a married couple and my single friend Bethany. Being in close proximity is important to me."
Wesley: "I have three closest friends. One lives in the area. The other two live downstate. The hour or so commute is not a deal breaker to me but if it was 2+ hours it would be a lot harder to see eachother."
Statistics on Friendship and Distance
Based on the responses we received, here are some detailed statistics:
Total Responses: 30
Distance Affects Closeness: 12 (40%)
Distance Does Not Affect Closeness: 18 (60%)
Mentions of Faith/Belief as a Factor: 10 (33.3%)
Mentions of Family as Close Friends: 8 (26.7%)
Mentions of Shared Interests/Hobbies: 15 (50%)
Mentions of Long-term Friendships (10+ years): 9 (30%)
Mentions of Communication as Key: 14 (46.7%)
It seems that while a significant portion of people feel that physical distance does affect the closeness of their friendships, a larger group believes it does not. Additionally, shared interests, faith, and family play crucial roles in defining close friendships. Here are some key themes that we found in the responses given.
Key Themes on What Makes Someone a Close Friend:
Shared Faith and Beliefs:
Many respondents mentioned that having a shared faith or belief system is crucial in forming close friendships. For example, Janine and Sueellen emphasized the importance of being equally yoked with fellow Christians.
Honesty and Vulnerability:
Honesty and the ability to be vulnerable with each other were highlighted as essential traits. Shannon and Justin both mentioned the importance of being completely honest and accepted by their close friends.
Long-term Relationships:
Long-term friendships, often spanning decades, were frequently mentioned. Sue and Heather shared stories of friendships that have lasted for many years, highlighting the deep bonds formed over time.
Support and Encouragement:
Providing mutual support and encouragement is a common theme. Sue and Shea emphasized the importance of friends who are always there to listen and encourage each other.
Shared Interests and Hobbies:
Having common interests and hobbies helps strengthen friendships. Tom and Cole mentioned how shared activities like pickleball and golf bring them closer to their friends.
Family as Friends:
Several respondents consider family members as their closest friends. Evan and Laura both mentioned their spouses/parents as their closest friends, highlighting the strong bonds within families.
Key Themes on Physical Distance and Closeness:
Distance Does Not Affect Closeness:
A significant number of respondents believe that physical distance does not impact the closeness of their friendships. Lauren, Shannon, and Patsy all mentioned that distance does not matter as long as the emotional connection remains strong.
Distance Affects Closeness:
Some respondents feel that physical distance does affect their friendships. Joe and Austin mentioned that being physically apart can make it harder to maintain close relationships.
Communication is Key:
Regardless of distance, maintaining regular communication is crucial. Many respondents, including Damon and Shea, emphasized the importance of staying in touch through calls, texts, or visits.
Quality Over Quantity:
The quality of interactions is more important than the frequency. Wesley and Spenser highlighted that even if they don't see their friends often, the time spent together is meaningful and strengthens their bond.
Adaptability and Flexibility:
Being adaptable and flexible in maintaining friendships despite distance is important. Elijah and Caleb mentioned how they have adapted to the challenges of distance by developing deeper friendships locally or staying in touch through various means.
The Importance of Community
At MI Puzzles by Phil Stagg Photography, we understand the importance of community and the role it plays in our lives. Our products are designed to bring people together, whether it's through exploring nature with our guidebooks, working together on puzzles, scheduling time for connection with our calendars, or reading stories to your kids with our children’s book.
We hope this blog post has inspired you to reflect on your own friendships and the importance of community in your life. Remember, it's not always about physical proximity but the quality of the relationships we build.
Thank you for being a part of our community!