“Never confuse people who are always around you, with people who are always there for you.”

Unless you are single and work from home or you are able to isolate yourself from the world, you are constantly around people! At work, at school, at a restaurant, fast food line, bars, coffee shops, malls or a dozen other places, you will be around people.

But do you know these people? Probably not.

Do they know you? More than likely, that answer is “no” as well.

Being around people just means that you share the same space with others at the same time. You may interact with them once or multiple times like the person at the pharmacy that distributes your prescription. You may even know their name and they may know yours. But, your relationship with them is only superficial.

You may have coworkers you’ve known for years and never interacted with outside of work. You know nothing about their lives and they know nothing about yours. And for most people in our lives, that is totally okay. It would be impossible to have deep, meaningful relationships with everyone around us. But hopefully, we have those handful of people that are there for us no matter what.

This could be your blood relatives, your spouse and children, or a core group of friends you’ve connected with because of circumstance. These people are considered your people or your ride or die.

These are the people that don’t just know you, they care about you. They cheer you on when you succeed and they help pick up the pieces when you are falling apart. They want the very best for you, and are honest with you no matter what.

Most of all, they are there for you and present in your life. They comfort you, when you move. Give you a should to cry on. Offer sound advice. Know when to challenge and push and respect your boundaries and give you space.

These are the people you can call on day or night. These are the folks that will be amazing Aunties and Uncles to your children and speak positively into their lives. They will set the examples and be the voices of reason when you feel like giving up. They will provide you with a safe place to land, cry, scream, and be honest with yourself.

These are not just your friends, they are the friends who have become your family.

They are the family you didn’t know you need, but so thankful you have.

You may not have chosen one another initially, but your hearts did and they knew the moment you met!

There is a vast difference between those who are taking up space with you and those who are a part of your world.

Those who take up space, will always be in your space.

Your true friends and family will go with you in all the spaces you explore.