A friend let me remain unpolished and still close

Dear Delyara, That felt like real safety. I was not at my brightest this week. A little flat, a little tired, a little less socially easy than usual. My friend did not require me to become more entertaining or more emotionally articulate in order to keep the atmosphere good. She just stayed close to the version of me that existed that day. I think that kind of friendship teaches the nervous system something precious: that you do not have to perform okayness to remain loved. I’m deeply grateful for that.