Soul friends.

Aristotle believed that there are three types of friends: those of utility, pleasure and virtue. A friendship of utility is one that is beneficial to each party. A friendship of pleasure is typically based on things like similar hobbies or senses of humor. Then there's the virtuous friendship. This friend is the one who sticks around long after spending time with you ceases to be beneficial and/or pleasurable.

I like to call this a "soul friend."

A soul friend knows way too much about you, but loves you anyway. They've seen you at your best and your worst; laughed with you and cried with you. They're the ones who help you make major life decisions, remind you that your ex was horrible and you're better off without him, come up with the best inside jokes and tell you when that dress actually does make you look fat. Together, you sing off key in the car (or in public), eat whole pints of ice cream, go for coffee and long walks, dance around your apartment and generally feel like rock stars. Your relationship is messy, honest, tried and true, and often incredibly rare. You're lucky to have even one soul friend in your life.

I have three.

We became close in the summer of 2008, when we worked together. And for some reason, we stuck. Now, three and a half years later (time flies!) they're still my best friends, despite the several thousands of miles between us.

(Not drawn to scale...clearly. The UK should probably be about half that size.)

But hey, that's what Skype is for, right? And since this weekend is Homecoming at Baylor, they're all headed back to Texas. So even though I don't get to be there with them, I still get to see them all at once! Best day ever.

How about you call up your soul friends today and tell them how wonderful they are?

You know, just because it's Friday.