Friends don't exist

Friends do exist, but not everyone makes for a good friend. Perhaps those people who you befriended in the military were only looking for someone they could talk to or hang out with while they were stationed. I have many friends. A good deal of people that are there for me through thick and thin. But, not everyone I have befriended in my lifetime is like that. Some have only been a part of my life for a season, others have been involved in my life for a decade or more. Some have been willing to deal with me when I am at my worst, others have abandoned me when I cease to be fun. A true friend is someone who accepts you for who you are, and is there for you when your down as much as they are there for you when you're up. Not everyone can manage to handle doing that. And, some people go through friends rather quickly. I personally prefer people who I know I can vehemently disagree with, while also knowing that it won't harm our friendship if I do so. I prefer to befriend those who can get into a knock down drag out fight with me, and still willingly attend my New Years get together a day later. BUT, not everyone will be able to handle that, and I know that. So, I have run into the situation many times where I find out someone I loved cannot handle being a true friend. C'est la vie. In the end, it's always about quality over quantity. If you have but one true friend, you are far more successful then the person who has a thousand "friends" who can only manage to be there when things are good, if at all.