Best Friends Forever - Sweetness Sundays

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We have all, at some time or other, been grateful for our true friends. Not just our acquaintances, but the people who know us sometimes even better than our own families do.  If you have a best friend, or several, you know that these relationships are very special. Sometimes these relationships start in childhood, others form later in life. Our best friends can be neighbors, sometimes they are actually family members, a close aged cousin or sibling, and sometimes they are even our spouses.  Whomever you call your best friend, make sure they know how very special they are to you. [All Item/Image Credits And Details Follow At Bottom of Post]

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We did it easily in childhood, we would 'claim' our best friends as such in front of classmates or contemporaries. We would hold their hands, share secrets, have sleepovers, and they would be the person we saved a seat for at the lunch table or at our birthday parties.  As adults, it is somewhat more difficult to express publicly our friendly affections without it feeling a bit odd, we may hug them hello or give them a quick squeeze when we say goodbye, but we often assume they understand how much they mean to us.

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 Sometimes they do know, and that is perfectly wonderful. But no best friend ever complained that they heard too often how much they mattered in another persons life.  Often the times we most rely on these friends are the hardest moments in our lifetimes.  When we suffer the loss of a loved one, when we go through a trauma, when we end a significant relationship.  During those times, we are often not in a place to be aware just how much we are dependent on our very best friend.

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These are the people that make us laugh at ourselves and know just what to say to make us know they are happy just to be with us when we are miserable. Think about the last time you laughed till you cried, laughed so hard that your sides hurt and you doubled over, was it your best friend that made your sides split?

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Real friends would never complain of it being a burden, they understand that the nature of the best friend relationship is based in the reciprocity it allows. We are there for them when they need us, and they are there for us in our hard times, that is just the way it works, at least with true best friends. One-sided relationships are often exhausting and rarely last, but a true best friendship is one of the most sacred bonds we may ever know.  Therefore, today's Sweetness Sundays post is dedicated to that sweet relationship known as the Best Friend.

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Children have become hooked on the term "BFF", meaning Best Friends Forever. We can blame that lovely little bit of terminology to the likes of Paris Hilton, who popularized it on her TV reality show. Teens often refer to their best friends as "Besties", I hear that term quite frequently from my neices. Adults tend to drop the "Best" part, we know who our closest friends are and don't want to make any of our general acquaintance feel awkward by pointing it out.  Whatever we call them, whoever they are, make sure you make a point this Valentine's Day of telling your best friend(s) that you love them.

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Valentine's Day, in my mind, is a day we celebrate love in all it's forms, not merely romantic love.  We are expected to send cheesy cards to our spouse, partner, or significant other. Parents often remember their children on St. Valentine's Day, and children often pepper their entire classroom full of peers with themed printed Valentine's Day cards.  If you want to really show your friends you care, take a lesson from any parent of young children, there is nothing more precious than something hand-made with love and care.

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If you aren't crafty, well that's where the good news comes in, there are lots of people who are. You can find heaps of lovely best friend 'themed' gifts and cards on Etsy and other on-line sources.  Personally, I choose to feature Etsy vendors often because I find the process of shopping Etsy to be so simple. The descriptions are usually very clear, you can see what you are getting and the images are often so beautiful and attractive that you can get a real sense of the objects special qualities, and you can almost always pay securely by PayPal.  Today's post is packed with amazing items celebrating the special friendships in our lives, and no matter what your age, you can never tell your friends enough just how much they are valued.

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If your child has a best friend, or if you know a child that does, make sure you encourage them to acknowledge the relationship for how special it is.  We may have many best-friends throughout a lifetime, but the value of the relationship is a certainty.  Call your best friend today and tell them how much you care and how much they mean to you. Now isn't that sweet?

1. BFF Chain Link Hat & Wristmarmer Set Crochet PATTERN Fits 4T - Preteen PDF 121 by Kristine Mullen, Ambassador Crochet on Etsy.
2. Little Girls' BFF Matching Hand Bags by ZeeaDarling, FilthyCute Boutique on Etsy.
3. Best Friends Necklaces BFF - Oreao Cookie Necklace - Cute Necklaces - Kawaii Heart Charms - Best Friend Jewelry by Kawaii Desu Ne, oh, it's cute! on Etsy.
4. Best Friend Art Print - Home Room Decor - Gift For Friend - 8x10 Print by Jordan Eaks, Something Beautiful Photography on Etsy.
5. Best Friend, Sister Art Print - HUMAN NATURE by Shira Sela, Shirae on Etsy.
6. Best Friends Necklace - Two Necklaces by Mary Beth Heishman, I Adorn U on Etsy.
7. Friendship Art Print - Best Friends - Archival - Limited Edition Print -8x8 - 2 divided by 2 equals by cori dantini by Cori Dantini, corid on Etsy.
8. Best Friends Art Print Room Decor - You Are My Best Friend Ever - 8x10 Art Print by Ortal, 2010 Gifts For All on Etsy.
9. Set Of Two Best Friend Enamel Owl Necklaces - Hand Stamped Necklace Best Friends Gift by Kristen, Kikiburra Beads on Etsy.
10. B.F.F. 11x15.5 Giclee Print - Best Friends, Girlfriends, Sisters, Contemporary Art, Friendship, Love by Jahna Vashti on Etsy.
11. Best Friends - Boys - 8x10 Archival Print by Rosy Designs Online on Etsy.
12. Two Peas in a Pod Best Friends Necklaces, Mother Daughter Necklaces, Sisters Necklaces by Dragon Fly Tears on Etsy.
13. Best Friends Handmade Fabric Dolls by Laura Hunter, Roving Ovine on Etsy.
14. Custom BFF Best Friend Art Print Set // 8x8 by Kate Gabrielle, Flapper Doodle on Etsy.
15. Hand Stamped Bestie BFF ONE WORD Best Friends Cuff Bracelet Aluminum Set of 2 Friendship by Kitty, Always A Memory on Etsy.
16. You Plus Me Equals Awesome, Awesome Print, Wedding Print, 8x10, Best Friends. Custom Colors Available by Rose, Pumpkin and Butterfly on Etsy.
17. Best Friend Greeting Card by Alisson Burda, Artsy Fartsy on Etsy.
18. BFF Necklace Set in Teal by Jessica Marshall, Jessica Marshall Jewelry on Etsy.
19. Greeting Card... Best Friends by Christa Howard, C Howard Designs on Etsy.
20. Available for Pre-Order Only, Set of 2 Best Friends Initial Letter Bow Necklaces, Limited Edition by Indie Meadow on Etsy.
21. Best Friends Postcard by Sophie Parker on Etsy.
22. The Best Friends Girls Art Print by Claudia Tremblay, Print Illustrations on Etsy.
23. Seahorse Buddies - Best Friend Necklace Set by Wishbowl Jewelry on Etsy.
24. Gumby and Pokey Best Friends Black and White Wall Art Mexican Framed Print by Michael Dexter, DexMex on Etsy.