A friendship is a non-sexual relationship of mutual fondness, appreciation, and trust between people. Sometimes, this kind of relationship is also called ‘platonic,’ or ‘philia’ in Greek terms.
What is Love | What is Romantic Love| What is Erotic Love | Friendship | What is Arranged Love | What is Real Love | What is True Love | Other Kinds of Love
It is a lesser form of interpersonal bond than that between two enamored or infatuated persons. However, the friendship bond is stronger than that between acquaintances and possibly even family.
Calling friendship a kind of love between a man and a woman is perhaps a bit of a stretch of the imagination. But friendship can be a real starter for what is to become a kind of love, either romantic or erotic, or the case of real love. Friends may find that their shared sense of belonging is actually surprisingly profound. They thus may skip the initial stages of romantic or erotic love in the development of their bond altogether.
That is not to say that their feelings for each other must be void of romantic or erotic aspects. It only means that neither infatuation nor sex was a prominent lead-in to their conjugal bonding.
German philosopher Immanuel Kant had a few interesting things to say about friendship. To him, ‘friendship is a man’s refuge in this world from his distrust of his fellows.’ Kant, always being a rationalist, recommended that ‘we must so conduct ourselves towards a friend that there is no harm done if he should turn into an enemy.’
True Friendship
Yet, a ‘true’ friend is someone who has your back, no matter what. Religious or not, s/he will always have your best interest at heart, and that includes telling you a ‘truth’ about you — if necessary and only in private, of course, and even if it then hurts a bit.
Friends may also discover, over time, that they are sort of soulmates. That is to say, they may discover that their friendship is based on a shared ‘love’ for, lets say, a hobby or an attitude of faith, and not only because they get along pretty well in general.
When it comes to finding a mate for a long-term relationship, many singles are looking for a soulmate instead of someone to fall in love with or satisfy erotic urges with.
Friends Marry Each Other
And yes, friends marry each other. Or, in the case of some arranged marriages, the two become friends and stay friends — perhaps never become lovers in the sense of ‘being in love’ with each other. Still, this seemed to have worked for countless people throughout history. There, then, is no need to argue about the lackluster of companionate marriages as many folks do cherish safety above all.
But, do not marry your #1 true friend. If it is to be a friend, marry ‘only’ one you really just like instead. This ‘like’ will probably not be as enchanting as romantic love — if ever — but nevertheless a good-enough love to play it safe.
That way you won’t lose a true friend to the weirdness of erotic passions — a true friend is priceless. Even companionate marriages between friends are susceptible to the follies and frailties of love and life. One never knows when one needs a true friend.
There are many more ‘loves’ to consider, the other kinds are described here.