Quite a few of the books I’ve read lately and television shows I’ve watched seem to be about best friends.

Take Sweet Magnolias for example.

The hit Netflix series centers on four best friends who would do anything for each other.

It’s made me ponder the best friends in my life. While some of you are blessed enough to be able to say you still have the same best friends you’ve had in high school, I can’t say that.

Thinking through my life (and I do a lot of that lately) made me realize I’ve always had lots of good friends. What I didn’t have in school was one or two people I would call my best friends.

We moved about a bit during my school days. The good thing about that is that I made friends with a lot of girls and guys. But I never could say I had a best friend.

I can’t even say I had a favorite friend during my school years.

Every time we moved my favorite friend would change because those I hung out with changed with each move.

Isn’t that what often happens? We pal around with those around us.

I always saw it as a positive thing.

During my earliest school years when we lived in Ridley Park my buddies were always those I lived closest to. That certainly included Patsy and Jimmy, my two closest neighbors.

I was always in awe of Patsy’s beauty. With her red hair and bright blue eyes I thought she was beautiful.

Here’s a funny story. About 15 years after we moved from there I happen to again meet Patsy in a submarine shop. She was still beautiful but I couldn’t believe it when she said she was always afraid of me. She said she did things with me just so I wouldn’t think she was a sissy.

I was always the smallest, skinniest kid. How could anyone think I was threatening?

Award-winning writer Lane Moore says she believes we always carry the baggage of our past.

I don’t think I carried baggage from my school days. I only remember always being happy enough to be part of the TV show Happy Days.

It wasn’t until I was a young adult that I found not one but two best friends, Priscilla and Lenny.

There was never any doubt in my mind that we would be friends forever. Both of them have always been extraordinary in giving me the gift of true friendship.

How do you know when a friend is true blue?

It’s when you need them but you don’t have to ask. They are there.

A close friend of Lenny’s said he was puzzled by my close friendship with Lenny. “

“What in the world do you have in common?” he asked.

One common trait we share is loyalty. We both are loyal to our friends. Forever loyal.

After my husband had a major stroke in church it was too late to give him the shot that might stop the stroke’s progression.

As the night went on hospital personnel said he remained unstable and they didn’t know yet if he would make it.

When I left his bedside to find the rest room I also found a surprise. My friend Lenny was stilling quietly in the waiting room.

He said he was waiting there from the time they brought Andy in “just in case I needed him.”

Throughout Andy’s 12 years of physical challenges Lenny was always there to help.

When Andy was in rehab Lenny drove an hour each way to shave Andy.

It was the same way with my friendship with Priscilla. Right from the start I knew we would be friends forever. Sure enough, we were always there for each other.

When Andy was admitted to the ICU on New Year’s Eve, Priscilla packed a basket of food. She told Andy she was not going to take down her Christmas tree until he could come to see it.

She kept her word, keeping the tree in her living room until the four of us could have a true Christmas in July.

When the cancer doctor said there was nothing more they could do for Andy except keep him comfortable before he passed away, Priscilla and Frank refused to accept it. They drove Andy and me to Fox Chase Cancer Center for another opinion.

Indeed, the specialist said there was plenty more they could do for Andy who went on to live another 12 years.

I always tell Priscilla she saved his life.

Both Lenny and Priscilla have been my best friends for decades. They are truly forever friends.

Not everyone needs a long time to become a best friend. Once in a blue moon I meet someone and know right from the start I have found another soul mate.

I have known Linda for a short time but we are as close as sisters.

What does it take for a friendship to flourish?

We need to enjoy each other’s company, of course. We need to be able to share our lives, confident what we share will be kept private.

We need to know we can count on the friend in good times and bad.

It isn’t easy to find a forever friend. But when you do, you have found a lifetime treasure.

Contact Pattie Mihalik at newsgirl@comcast.net