Have you ever...

...had people in your life who claimed to be great friends but did nothing but hurt you or bring you down?

This is something that's been bothering me for a long time; something I just cannot wrap my brain around. I have some of the best friends in the world...people I know would be there for me in a second if I needed them, and I would do the same for them. Then there are "friends" who are only there when it makes them look good in front of others. These are people that come up and hug you and love you only when others are around. Ugh!!! I hate this!!

For me, a friend is simply a family member that you choose to have in your life. It's a mutually beneficial thing. When they are down, you help to pick them back up. When you are down, they carry the load with you. Also, when things are going great in your life (i.e. a really great opportunity to live in another country for a year), they celebrate that with you instead of trying to make you feel guilty.

One of the greatest things I have learned here being away from it all for a year is to focus on the people in my life who are loving and real. I will never again censor myself just to gain the acceptance of people who simply just do not care at all. And I will not associate with people who pretend anymore. I would rather have no relationship at all with these people than a hollow shell of a friendship that means absolutely nothing.

With that being said, I really want to thank my friends who have supported Danny and I in all that we've done. You know who you are, and you know how special you are to us. You made the decision to come home in September an easy one. We really love you guys!!