Why it’s great to celebrate the love between friends

There’s many an opportunity throughout the year to celebrate romantic love – anniversaries spring to mind. First date, first kiss, first tiff. They’re all marked along with (for some) the so-called biggie – Valentine’s Day. But friendships can be just as important to happiness and wellbeing and are well worth honouring, too. The quality of people’s social connections can have a huge impact on their mental health and ability to weather major life challenges. Platonic love is often said to have fewer complications than its romantic counterpart and, though some might challenge that statement, when people find themselves broken-hearted, it’s often their friends who are standing beside them, ready and waiting to dry their tears. True friendships require a life-long commitment of time, trust and understanding, and they offer unique rewards. While romantic love can sometimes bring out the worst in people, platonic bonds often highlight the best, creating a safe space where vulnerabilities can be shared and follies appreciated, without fear of recrimination. With romantic love, there’s often a search for perfection, whereas in friendship, imperfections and differences are often the source of amusement and celebration.