Unconditional love for friends refers to a deep and genuine affection between friends that remains steadfast and unwavering, regardless of circumstances, flaws, or differences. It involves accepting and supporting your friends for who they are, without imposing conditions or expectations.

Welcome to my series on unconditional love and how it empowers you. I will be writing about unconditional love in friendships, parenting, work, and from a Biblical perspective.

There are a few friends with whom I have been having breakfast or lunch once a month for three decades. The reason we have remained friends is because there is a bond and an unconditional love based on acceptance, being non-judgmental, supporting one another, forgiving, being authentic, practicing empathy, and loyalty, communicating often, and giving each other space.

Acceptance

Unconditional love in friendship involves accepting your friends with all their strengths and weaknesses. It means embracing their uniqueness and not trying to change them to fit a particular mold.

Non-Judgmental

True friendship is non-judgmental. Unconditional love allows friends to make mistakes, be vulnerable, and share their struggles without fear of harsh judgment.

Support

Friends who love each other unconditionally offer support during both good times and challenging moments. Whether celebrating successes or providing a shoulder to lean on during tough times, this kind of friendship is a source of unwavering support.

Forgiveness

In unconditional friendships, forgiveness plays a crucial role. Everyone makes mistakes, and unconditional love allows friends to forgive and move forward without holding grudges.

Authenticity

Unconditional love encourages authenticity. Friends can be themselves without the fear of rejection. This authenticity fosters a deep sense of trust and connection.

Empathy

Understanding and empathizing with your friend’s feelings and experiences contribute to unconditional love. It involves being there for them emotionally and showing empathy in times of joy or sorrow.

Loyalty

Unconditional love in friendship involves loyalty, and standing by your friend’s side through thick and thin. It means being reliable and trustworthy and building a strong foundation for the relationship.

Communication

Open and honest communication is crucial in maintaining unconditional love in friendship. Friends should feel comfortable expressing their thoughts and feelings without fear of being misunderstood.

Space and Independence

Unconditional love recognizes the importance of individual growth and independence. It allows friends to pursue their interests and personal development without feeling threatened.

Longevity

Unconditional love stands the test of time. It is a friendship that endures despite the inevitable changes and challenges life may bring.

Developing and maintaining unconditional love in friendships requires effort, understanding, and a willingness to invest in the well-being of the relationship. It is a two-way street where both friends contribute to creating a supportive and loving bond that can withstand the trials of life.

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What is a Boarding School

A boarding school provides room and board for students who live on the premises. These schools have been around all over the world. The boarding school provides meals and lodging can be co-educational or for either girls or boys.

Private School Quotes

I went to boarding school in the country, so there’s no real differentiation between family and friends. I was there from when I was 8 until I was 17 – it was insane. If you want my friendship, you are my family, and I’ll do anything for you – Jamie Campbell Bower

There’s something about childhood friends that you just can’t replace – Lisa Whelchel

It was my first day at St. Andrews, a co-ed boarding school.

I am 12.5 years old and about to enter grade 8.

The boarding school is already halfway through its semester.

I was nervous, scared, hesitant, worried, and insecure about what everyone would think about me.

As I enter my first class, a guy offers me a pen and paper. His name is Ish. Later on, I meet Naresh and Deepak. All three are 6’2”. This boarding school is in the land of giants.

My friendship with Ish, Naresh, and Deepak would become lifelong and span more than five continents.

In grade 9, Naresh gets nominated for school captain, Deepak becomes house captain and I become his assistant. Ish also becomes the assistant captain of another house.

The rivalry in sport at a boarding school is intense.

One day in grade 9, Ish and me decide to enter the girl’s dormitory to see how it looks like. The next thing I know Ish is lighting firecrackers in the girl’s washrooms.

The motto and ethos at the boarding school were really that no kid should be expelled, only given more responsibility.

The principal decided to give us more responsibility. We were responsible for a dorm of 30 boys.

One night after late-night studies, I tie the draw strips of all the boy’s pajamas while they are sleeping. Ish switches the lights on and off and I wake all of them.

In grade 10, it was time to get serious and get ready for the O level exams.

The final year was when we get to dissect the live frogs.

On a wonderful weekend, Ish and I decide to enter the lab to try and grill some frog legs. We break through the window pane and enter the lab. I am looking for the frogs. Ish decides to take pure hydrochloric acid, water, and mix it with the silver solution. Next thing I realize the whole lab is filled with smoke.

As a result of that, my parents got a big bill in the mail.

As we were preparing for midterm exams, it was getting late and we were hungry. We break into the kitchen and there is a big cauldron of soup cooking for the next day. So, we try to take a scoop, and the next thing we know the whole cauldron is on the floor.

You know the drill, in the principal’s office for the 10^th time, getting rebuked for how we are wasting our talent and that they will give us even more responsibility.

We would be responsible for making sure no one would be breaking any windows and the pots. I look at Ish and he had a smirk, as it was the two of us who were breaking all the windows and pots.

The O level exams arrive and we all graduate.

Deepak visited me on and off at BCS. Naresh headed to NY and I continued to visit Ish.

There would be certain nights we would crank call from midnight to 2 am.

I will never forget the wedding of Ish’s sister. The ceremony started at 2 am. Ish and I start throwing stones at the priest. Let’s just say he refused to carry out the wedding until we stopped.

Last week, Ish does a conference call with the four of us. We are all in different parts of the world.

The conversation always starts with everyone smiling, we talk about the different experiences at boarding school and later in life.

Then off course they all make fun of me as I am the shortest. The other three always aware of my spiritual nature inquire about it and I tell them I am still in touch with that aspect of my life.

We talked for an hour and rehashed many memories which I cannot print here.

Gentlemen, thanks for your friendship, your legendary hospitality, and hey even though you are atheist I will hang out with you anywhere any time.

Stay blessed until our next reunion.

Photo Credits: An early winters day on the River Severn by Jim Roberts CC BY 2.0, Eaglebrook School 2012 New Students by Eaglebrook School CC BY 2.o, Whitcombe Prefects, Portsmouth Grammar School by Richard Harrison CC BY 2.0, Bachelor Students – Chemistry Lab by NTNU  CC BY 2.0, Cricket by Patrick Doheny CC BY 2.0

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