real friends.

A real friend is the first person you think of when you see something funny.  "Oh!  I have to remember to tell her..."

A real friend is someone that can pick out all your faults, analyze them to death with you, and still love you in spite of them.

A real friend is someone who sticks up for you against a tide of negativity, even if the negative ones are people you also thought of as friends.

A real friend is someone who believes you before they believe other people, even if you aren't around to defend yourself.

A real friend is someone that brings out all your good qualities because you want to be that person for them.

A real friend is someone that can laugh with you through the most dire circumstances.

A real friend is someone that you can be an ocean away from for months at a time, and miss them terribly, but cherish every letter and word exchanged.

A real friend is someone you can pick up with after being away for ages, and feel like nothing has changed.

A real friend is someone you can count on to take you to the hospital in the middle of the night to check on your ailing boyfriend in the emergency room.

Real friends are the ones you hang on to, year after year. 
Real friends are the friends I have, the friends I've kept.
I am blessed beyond belief in the love of my dear friends.