Getting to know someone, making them a part of our lives, we can’t do overnight. There are some interesting experiences I’ve had about this. I will tell you one, my meeting with someone who ended up being my good friend.

During my time as a mental health volunteer I crossed paths with a lot of people. Each of them left an imprint on my story, many lessons that I can get and sometimes not always happy.

A year ago I met him. At that time he had a problem and for some reason at that time the two of us were talking. He shared his life story and it was easy for me to understand him. He is sensitive and a thinker. He was fun to make friends with and from that day on we became close. He often share things like his life story, how his parents were, when he had to move and when he was sad.

When we first got to know each other, he doubted me a lot. Too much people that hurt him and he’s an introvert. He feels comfortable with me and maybe because he knows that I won’t hurt him. Sometimes we can stop to talk but sometimes he suddenly reaches me without any reason.

We used to joke around a lot, make fun of each other but the funniest thing for me was he was like a kid every time we talked. He always felt that he could lean on me, forget for a moment the burdens he had and that made me happy.

I know his burden is quite heavy and I know I can’t do much more than listen to him. Every time we stopped talking, I thought he had forgotten about me but when suddenly he reached me, I always teased him by saying that I didn’t expect that you still remember me, that I still exist.

He once told me that because he knew I was sincerely be friends with him and I had no bad intentions with him made him feel safe being friends with me. Today we talk again and we reminisce about the past when we first met. I teased him that at the time he thought I was transgender.

He suddenly said to me that ‘thank you for letting me into your life’. I was touched to hear him say that. I know he is very sensitive and I know his trauma, burden and life is hard for him to live.

Knowing that my presence can be useful for others, I am very happy. Getting to know someone, making them a part of our lives takes time. Sometimes good days don’t always come, there will be bad days and normal days that we have to go through.

When we can understand each other and learn to accept each other’s flaws, then whatever the form of the relationship is, the possibility that it will last a long time will be greater.

A year is still short time, I want our friendship to last a long time, there is a reason why God made us both meet. Whatever the reason God wants, I will try my best to be able to continue to maintain this friendship.