Friendship is a story—only sometimes, the kind with a beginning, a middle, and an end. Other times, it has the essence of forever. This kind comes with ease. These friends you just know in that way you just know all the other things you just know. You may not recognize it for what it is at first glance—a story of spirit—but looking back, you see it clearly. Time means nothing when the friendship story is of spirit. The commitment is a feeling, not a contract, not a trade or a bargaining or a buying and selling. Empathy is knitted into the fabric of the story—who knows by what unseen force? It is simply there. Encouragement is always on offer. Loyalty, too. Trust goes unspoken. Support is mutual and leaned into. Vulnerability a given, and so highly respected. Listening is given and received. Honesty assumed and the measure of safety taken refuge in...