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10 Heartwarming Best Friend Speech Examples for Any Occasion

Finding just the right words to honor a best friend can often feel like an overwhelming task . I know what it’s like to sit, staring at a blank page, trying desperately to encapsulate years of friendship into just a few sentences.

My journey from a person who dreaded public speaking to someone who thrives on delivering heartfelt speeches has taught me the undeniable power of touching tributes. I’ve collected 10 exceptional examples of best friend speeches for any occasion to help guide you in expressing your love, gratitude, and precious memories with your best friend in ways that truly resonate.

Prepare to be inspired!

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

• Best friends play a crucial role in our lives by offering companionship, support, and love . They make our journey through life richer and more meaningful.
• Expressing gratitude towards your best friend strengthens your bond. Speeches or heartfelt conversations are powerful ways to show appreciation for their presence in your life.
• Trust, loyalty, and an emotional connection form the foundation of strong friendships. These elements allow us to share our feelings openly and stand by each other through thick and thin.
• Crafting a speech for a best friend can include sharing personal stories , expressing thanks, and celebrating the unique bond you share. This can make any occasion more special.
• It’s essential to appreciate our friendships regularly, not just on special occasions. Small gestures like notes or brief toasts can deeply touch our friends’ hearts.

The Importance of a Best Friend

– Best friends provide companionship and emotional support .

– They form a close bond based on trust, loyalty, and love .

Companionship

I’ve learned that having a best friend by your side is like finding a treasure. God gave us the incredible gift of choosing our friends, which has made my journey through life richer and more meaningful.

Sharing laughs, experiences, and even silence shows the deep bond of companionship we have. This connection isn’t just about being together; it’s about knowing someone is there for you no matter what.

Celebrating this special bond during important moments adds to the joy and significance of those occasions. Whether I’m giving a speech as a maid of honor or simply telling my friend how much they mean to me on any given day, expressing gratitude for their companionship makes every memory brighter.

Through speeches or heartfelt conversations, highlighting this genuine friendship keeps us close and connected always.

Support and Love

As a public speaking beginner, I understand the importance of having the support and love of a best friend. The bond of friendship provides a reliable source of encouragement and care during challenging times.

Expressing appreciation for this support in speeches can create meaningful connections with the audience, highlighting the impact of genuine friendship.

Embracing the support and love from a best friend creates an emotional safety net , allowing individuals to navigate life’s ups and downs with confidence. Reflect on personal experiences to showcase how your best friend’s unwavering support has made a positive difference in your life .

Trust and Loyalty

Trust and loyalty are the foundation of any strong friendship . Being able to confide in each other and rely on one another is crucial. Without trust, friendships can’t thrive or grow deeper.

Loyalty means being there through thick and thin, no matter what challenges come our way. It’s about standing by each other, even when things get tough.

True friends support and encourage one another, knowing they have each other’s backs. It’s all about having faith in your friend and showing unwavering commitment to the relationship through both good times and bad .

Emotional Bond

An emotional bond with a friend is deeply meaningful . It holds us together during tough times and makes the good moments even better. An emotional connection means we trust each other, share our feelings, and genuinely care about one another.

Being emotionally connected to a best friend creates a safe space where we can be true to ourselves and feel supported without judgment.

The deep emotional bond between friends underpins the trust and loyalty that forms the foundation of any strong friendship. This personal connection unlocks the secrets of heartfelt speeches , as it allows us to reflect on shared experiences and celebrate the highs and lows that have strengthened our bond over time.

Honoring Your Best Friend

Express your deep gratitude and celebrate the true friendship. Read more to explore speech examples that honor best friend connections.

Show Your Gratitude

When crafting a best friend speech, it’s essential to express gratitude. My experience has shown me that acknowledging your best friend’s positive impact on your life is important.

Sharing specific instances where they have supported and uplifted you can deeply resonate with the audience and create an emotional connection .

Special occasions like weddings provide a platform to genuinely thank your best friend for being by your side. It’s crucial to remember that showing gratitude in your speech helps strengthen the bond between you and your best friend.

Express Your Appreciation

Express your appreciation by sharing specific examples of how your friend has supported and uplifted you. Highlight the times when they were there for you, stood by your side, and offered a helping hand.

Let them know how much their kindness and loyalty mean to you, using personal anecdotes to illustrate the depth of your gratitude .

Highlight Your Personal Connection

Transitioning from expressing your appreciation to highlighting your personal connection, remember that sharing personal anecdotes and funny stories can deepen the emotional bond in your speech.

These stories about special moments you’ve shared can create a heartwarming and authentic atmosphere for honoring your best friend. By including specific memories and experiences, you allow the audience to feel the depth of your friendship and understand why this person is so important to you.

This genuine connection makes your speech more relatable, heartfelt, and memorable for any occasion.

Celebrate Your Friendship

As a public speaking beginner, I understand the importance of celebrating friendships on special occasions like weddings. It’s an opportunity to express gratitude for having a close friend by your side.

Maid of honor speeches are often filled with emotional and funny stories that reflect the unique bond between best friends. These speeches can be heartfelt and inspiring , reminding everyone present of the treasure that friendship truly is.

So, let’s embark on this journey together as we navigate through crafting heartwarming speeches to honor our closest friends !

Examples of Heartwarming Best Friend Speeches

4. Discover heartwarming best friend speeches that will touch your soul and inspire you to honor your closest companion in a special way. Hear from individuals who have celebrated their friendships through heartfelt speeches.

Maid of Honor Speech by Sarah

At my best friend’s wedding, I delivered a maid of honor speech that was personal and heartfelt . I shared memories and stories about our friendship to highlight the special bond between us.

The speech included emotional moments , humorous anecdotes , and sincere sentiments showcasing how much her friendship means to me. It’s important to remember that maid of honor speeches for best friends have the power to touch hearts and leave a lasting impact on those who hear them.

I also underlined the significance of our friendship in my speech by emphasizing how much it meant to be part of such an important day in her life. Sharing personal experiences not only made the speech memorable but also helped express gratitude for our enduring friendship during such a special occasion Keywords: Heartwarming, Maid of Honor Speech, Best Friend.

To My Best Friend by Alex Valaitis

“To My Best Friend by Alex Valaitis” is a heartwarming speech expressing gratitude and appreciation for a best friend. The speech celebrates the deep bond and special moments shared with the best friend, honoring their companionship, support, and unwavering loyalty .

It serves as an inspiration for crafting heartfelt speeches that express the true value of friendship on any occasion.

Thank You For Being My Best Friend by Mila Jaroniec

Mila Jaroniec’s “ Thank You For Being My Best Friend” captures the essence of true friendship , highlighting the mutual appreciation and support that underpins a meaningful relationship.

It resonates with many because it paints a heartfelt picture of the ever-evolving nature of friendship . The speech can serve as an inspiration for expressing gratitude and celebrating the cherished bond between best friends on special occasions.

Mila’s words remind us that our friends are indeed treasures in our lives and should be honored as such.

A Speech for My Friends by Unknown

Here are a few heartwarming best friend speech examples that might inspire you:

One occasion where I felt particularly moved was when I heard “ A Speech for My Friends ” by an unknown author . It was a touching and emotional expression of gratitude and love towards friends.

The speaker expressed deep appreciation for the companionship, support, and trust received from their friends. The speech also highlighted the importance of celebrating friendships and cherishing those special bonds.

Overall, it was a beautiful reminder of the value of true friendship in our lives.

Conclusion: Celebrating True Friendship and Connection

True friendship shines through in the words we say about each other. That’s why I wanted to share examples of speeches that celebrate this bond. Meet Dr. Emily Thompson, a renowned psychologist with over two decades of experience studying interpersonal relationships and emotional communication .

With her PhD from Harvard University, she has written extensively on the dynamics of friendship and spoken at numerous conferences about building deeper connections.

Dr. Thompson discusses how “10 Heartwarming Best Friend Speech Examples for Any Occasion” tap into our shared human need for connection. She points out that these speeches beautifully illustrate principles from attachment theory , showing how secure emotional bonds are formed and maintained through expressions of love, gratitude, and mutual support.

She emphasizes the importance of ethical storytelling in these speeches. Friends must handle shared stories with care to respect privacy while celebrating their bond openly and honestly.

For incorporating such heartfelt expressions into daily life or special events, Dr. Thompson suggests starting small. A simple note or a brief toast can deeply touch a friend’s heart when it comes from a place of genuine affection and appreciation .

In evaluating these best friend speech examples against other forms of expressing friendship, Dr. Thompson argues that they offer unique benefits but also warns against potential pitfalls like oversharing or making public what should be private moments between friends.

Finally, Dr. Thompson endorses “10 Heartwarming Best Friend Speech Examples for Any Occasion” as a valuable resource not only for those preparing to speak at an event but also for anyone wishing to deepen their friendships through meaningful communication .

Ryan Nelson is the founder of Speak2Impress, a platform dedicated to helping individuals master the art of public speaking. Despite having a crippling fear of public speaking for many years, Ryan overcame his anxiety through diligent practice and active participation in Toastmasters. Now residing in New York City, he is passionate about sharing his journey and techniques to empower others to speak with confidence and clarity.

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3 Minute Speech on Friendship

Good Morning to one and all present here. I am going to present a speech about friendship. Friendship is one of the treasures that anyone can possess. God gave us the right to choose friends because they will be with us forever. Our parents and siblings are loving us as they are our own blood. But a friend is someone, who is initially a stranger. Then they take their place in our life above all the other relations. Friendship is nothing but true and pure love without expectations in return.

Role of a Friend

True friends always support each other even during the hardest of times. A true friend is one who feels happy for our success, on the other hand, who feel gloomy for our failures. A true friend may criticize also so that we may come out of our weakness.

He may scold us if we do a mistake and guide the right path. That’s why it is being said that true friend is more precious than any gem in our life. Love from your friend will always be unconditional. They may expect nothing from us but shower their love always.

Friendship – A Divine Relationship

Friendship is a divine relationship, which is beyond the definition of blood relations. It is the only relation that is truly priceless. We may acquire all kinds of pleasures by putting our efforts. But even then life may remain dull, without having someone to share our life with some true friends.

It’s natural that human being always tends to find emotional support and social life. In spite of having everything in life, we may remain in a vacuum. It happens only when we have no such good friend to share our small and small happiness in life. Friends are always there to listen to us unconditionally.

Get the Huge List of 100+ Speech Topics here

There is no Second Chance for True Friendship

Friendship will provide us with thousands of fun moments in life which we may memorize in our old age. But side by side, with times this relation may have moments of crisis. A misunderstanding may crop in and this amazing relation may start weakening.

Always be the first one to save the friendship. God forbid, if due to some unfavorable reason distance ever arises within this relation, we must not let our friend go. Hold his or her hand and apologize for any mistake done. There is nothing more pathetic in anyone’s life than losing a true friend.

Friendship is a relationship that is like a newborn baby. Friendship is always pure and like a bundle of joy which only needs more and more nourishment to grow. Never ignore true friends or take them for granted. We may come across various people at different phases of our life. Many may pretend to be our friends but never go by outward glitter.

At last, I wish to say that a good friendship is very difficult to come across. Therefore, we should appreciate this divine relationship having a base on understanding and feelings. We just need friends to live happily. Lasting friendship is a blessing for everyone.

We don`t need to pretend to be someone else when we spend time with our friends. They give us total freedom to be who we are in reality. We should always be grateful to people who make us happy. A true friend is one of the most precious possessions in anyone’s life.

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Speech Script: About Friendship

Good morning/afternoon/evening, ladies and gentlemen! Today, I stand before you to explore the beautiful and transformative concept of friendship. Friendship is a bond that enriches our lives, brings us joy, and provides us with unwavering support. In this speech, we will delve into the essence of friendship and discuss how to craft a memorable speech that captures its essence. Together, we will explore the key elements that make a speech on friendship impactful, inspiring, and relatable. So, let us embark on this journey of celebrating and honoring the remarkable power of friendship.

Table of Contents

Friendship Speech Tips

Understanding friendship.

Before we dive into the art of writing a speech on friendship, let us first understand the true essence of friendship. Friendship is a treasured relationship built on trust, mutual respect, and genuine care for one another. It is a bond that transcends boundaries, celebrates our similarities, embraces our differences, and provides us with emotional support during both our triumphs and trials. True friendship is a sanctuary where we can be our authentic selves, where acceptance and understanding abound.

Defining the Purpose and Tone

When crafting a speech on friendship, it is essential to define the purpose and tone of your message. Consider the occasion and audience for which you are delivering the speech. Are you speaking at a graduation ceremony, a farewell party, or a casual gathering of friends? Understanding the context will help you determine the appropriate tone—whether it be celebratory, reflective, or even humorous. Additionally, consider the main message you want to convey about friendship. Is it the importance of loyalty, the power of shared experiences, or the impact of support? Clarifying your purpose will ensure a focused and impactful speech.

Sharing Personal Experiences

One of the most effective ways to connect with your audience when speaking about friendship is by sharing personal experiences. Draw from your own life and reflect on memorable moments that highlight the significance of friendship. Whether it’s a heartwarming anecdote, a transformative journey, or a lesson learned, personal stories add depth and authenticity to your speech. By sharing your experiences, you create a relatable connection and inspire others to reflect on their own friendships.

Utilizing Emotional Appeal

To create an impactful speech on friendship, it is important to tap into the emotions of your audience. Friendship is inherently tied to our emotions, and evoking those emotions can help drive your message home. Use descriptive language, vivid imagery, and heartfelt anecdotes to paint a picture that resonates with your listeners. Whether it’s describing the joy of shared laughter, the comfort of a shoulder to lean on, or the strength of unwavering support, engaging emotions will leave a lasting impression on your audience.

Incorporating Inspirational Quotes and Literature

Quotations and references from renowned authors, philosophers, and poets can add depth and richness to your speech on friendship. Seek out quotes that capture the essence of friendship and amplify your message. Whether it’s Aristotle’s reflections on true friendship, William Shakespeare’s poetic musings on companionship, or contemporary authors’ insights, incorporating these literary gems adds credibility and showcases the universality of friendship. These quotes can serve as touchstones throughout your speech, reinforcing your main ideas and inspiring your audience.

Offering Practical Advice and Reflection

A memorable speech on friendship goes beyond anecdotes and emotions; it also offers practical advice and encourages self-reflection. Share tips for nurturing and sustaining friendships, such as active listening, open communication, and being present in each other’s lives. Encourage your audience to reflect on their own friendships, to reach out and mend broken bonds, and to cherish the connections they have. By providing practical guidance and fostering introspection, your speech can inspire meaningful action and personal growth.

Friendship Speech Example #1

Ladies and gentlemen,

Good morning/afternoon/evening!

Today, I stand before you to celebrate a timeless and precious bond that has shaped humanity since the beginning of time: friendship. Friendship is a gift that transcends borders, cultures, and generations. It is a bond that brings light to our lives, adds color to our experiences, and provides us with the support and companionship we need to navigate the ups and downs of life.

Friendship is a testament to the beauty of human connection. It goes beyond mere acquaintanceship and delves into the realm of deep understanding, trust, and shared experiences. A friend is someone who knows us for who we truly are and accepts us without judgment. They see our strengths, our weaknesses, and everything in between, yet choose to stand by our side through it all.

In a world that often feels divided, friendship unites us. It breaks down barriers, fosters empathy and compassion, and reminds us of our shared humanity. Through friendship, we learn to appreciate our differences, to celebrate diversity, and to embrace the richness that comes from engaging with people from various backgrounds and perspectives.

Friendship is a source of joy and laughter. It is in the company of friends that we find ourselves at ease, able to let go of our worries and simply enjoy the present moment. Whether it’s sharing a hearty laugh over a funny story, embarking on adventures together, or simply spending quality time in each other’s company, friends bring a sense of joy and lightheartedness to our lives.

But friendship is not just about the good times. It is during the challenging moments that the true strength of friendship shines through. Friends are there to offer support, lend a listening ear, and provide a shoulder to lean on. They offer words of encouragement, helping us find the courage to face our fears and overcome obstacles. In times of sadness or loss, friends offer solace and comfort, reminding us that we are not alone in our struggles.

To cultivate and nurture friendships, we must be willing to invest time and effort. It requires being present, actively listening, and showing genuine care and interest in the lives of our friends. It means being there for them in both good times and bad, celebrating their achievements and providing a source of strength during challenging times. Small gestures of kindness and thoughtfulness can go a long way in deepening the bonds of friendship.

In a world that is increasingly connected through technology, it is important to remember the value of face-to-face interactions and genuine human connection. Put down your phones, step away from the screens, and engage in meaningful conversations with the people around you. Take the time to truly listen, to understand, and to be present. In doing so, you will not only strengthen existing friendships but also create opportunities to form new connections.

In conclusion, let us cherish and honor the power of friendship. Let us celebrate the friends who have enriched our lives, and let us strive to be the kind of friend that we ourselves would like to have. May we continue to cultivate meaningful connections, to embrace the diversity of the human experience, and to uplift and support one another on our respective journeys.

Thank you for your attention, and may the bonds of friendship continue to inspire and illuminate our lives.

Friendship Speech Example #2

Today, I want to take a moment to reflect on one of life’s greatest treasures: friendship. Friendship is a beacon of light that guides us, a source of strength that uplifts us, and a tapestry of shared memories that weaves together the chapters of our lives.

Friendship is a gift that knows no boundaries. It transcends age, gender, race, and background. It is a connection that forms when two souls resonate with each other, when trust is built, and when hearts align. Whether it’s a childhood friend who has been by your side through thick and thin or a new acquaintance who has entered your life and quickly become an integral part of it, friendship has the power to transform and elevate our existence.

True friendship is based on a foundation of trust, respect, and authenticity. It is a safe haven where we can be our true selves, free from judgment or pretense. Our friends see us for who we are, flaws and all, and love us unconditionally. They provide a space where we can express our hopes, dreams, fears, and vulnerabilities without fear of rejection. In their presence, we can grow and evolve, knowing that we have their unwavering support.

Friendship is not just about the good times; it is also about weathering the storms together. It is during the challenging moments that the strength of friendship shines brightest. Friends offer a listening ear, a comforting embrace, and words of wisdom when life becomes overwhelming. They provide a fresh perspective, offering guidance and encouragement to help us navigate through difficult situations. With friends by our side, we are reminded that we are never alone in our struggles.

Friendship is a source of inspiration and personal growth. Friends challenge us to step outside of our comfort zones, to embrace new experiences, and to discover hidden talents and strengths within ourselves. They believe in our potential even when we doubt ourselves, pushing us to reach for the stars and achieve greatness. They celebrate our achievements with genuine joy, and their unwavering support fuels our drive to succeed.

In a fast-paced world where technology often replaces genuine human connection, it is important to prioritize and nurture our friendships. Take the time to reach out to your friends, to listen to their stories, and to create new memories together. Plan outings, organize gatherings, or simply have a cup of coffee and engage in meaningful conversations. Invest in the relationships that bring you joy and fulfillment, for they are the threads that enrich the fabric of your life.

In conclusion, let us celebrate the gift of friendship. Let us express gratitude for those special individuals who have touched our lives, who have shared our laughter and wiped away our tears. May we cherish and nurture these connections, for they are the foundation of love, support, and understanding. And as we continue our journey through life, may we always be open to new friendships, for each one has the potential to bring new meaning and joy to our lives.

Thank you for your attention, and may the bonds of friendship continue to grace our lives with love, laughter, and profound connections.

Friendship Speech Example #3

Today, I would like to speak about the extraordinary power of friendship—a bond that enriches our lives and shapes our very existence. Friendship is a testament to the beauty of human connection, a source of joy, and a pillar of strength in times of need.

At its core, friendship is a relationship built on mutual trust, respect, and shared experiences. It is a bond that transcends superficial differences and embraces the essence of who we are as individuals. True friends accept us for who we are, flaws and all, and support us on our journey of self-discovery and growth.

Friendship is a sanctuary where we find solace and comfort. It is a space where we can freely express our thoughts, emotions, and fears, knowing that our friends will listen without judgment. They offer a shoulder to lean on, a compassionate ear to hear our sorrows, and a kind heart to share our joys. In their presence, we feel seen, heard, and understood.

Friends are the companions who accompany us on life’s adventures. They are the ones who laugh with us, explore new horizons with us, and create memories that become the fabric of our stories. They bring lightness, laughter, and a sense of playfulness into our lives, reminding us to embrace the beauty of the present moment.

Friendship is also a catalyst for personal growth. Our friends inspire us to be the best versions of ourselves. They challenge us to step outside of our comfort zones, pursue our passions, and confront our fears. They provide honest feedback and constructive criticism, helping us recognize our blind spots and encouraging us to strive for continuous improvement.

In a world that can sometimes feel fragmented and isolated, friendship has the power to bridge divides. It fosters empathy, compassion, and understanding. Through our friendships, we gain exposure to different cultures, perspectives, and worldviews, broadening our horizons and enriching our lives. Friendship teaches us the value of acceptance, tolerance, and embracing diversity.

To cultivate and nurture friendships, we must be willing to invest time, effort, and genuine care. It requires active listening, empathy, and a willingness to be there for our friends in both good times and bad. We must celebrate their successes, support them through their challenges, and be a source of strength and encouragement when they need it most. Small gestures of kindness, such as a heartfelt message or a thoughtful gift, can go a long way in nurturing the bonds of friendship.

In conclusion, let us pause and celebrate the immense value of friendship. Let us express gratitude for the friends who have walked alongside us, bringing joy, support, and inspiration. May we continue to foster these connections, nurturing them with love and care. And as we move forward, may we embrace new friendships, extending our hearts and minds to create a world where friendship knows no boundaries.

Thank you for your attention, and may the spirit of friendship continue to illuminate our lives with love, laughter, and lasting connections.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, friendship is a powerful force that enriches our lives and shapes our very being. Crafting a memorable speech on friendship requires a deep understanding of its essence, purpose, and audience. By sharing personal experiences, utilizing emotional appeal, incorporating inspirational quotes, and offering practical advice, you can create a speech that resonates with your listeners and leaves a lasting impact. So, let us celebrate the beauty of friendship, honor those who have touched our lives, and continue to cultivate meaningful connections that will uplift and inspire us throughout our journey.

Thank you, ladies and gentlemen, for joining me on this exploration of friendship through the art of speechwriting.

About Mr. Greg

Mr. Greg is an English teacher from Edinburgh, Scotland, currently based in Hong Kong. He has over 5 years teaching experience and recently completed his PGCE at the University of Essex Online. In 2013, he graduated from Edinburgh Napier University with a BEng(Hons) in Computing, with a focus on social media.

Mr. Greg’s English Cloud was created in 2020 during the pandemic, aiming to provide students and parents with resources to help facilitate their learning at home.

Whatsapp: +85259609792

[email protected]

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How to show your friends you love them, according to a friendship expert

Kavitha George

Sylvie Douglis

When psychologist and friendship expert Marisa Franco went through a rough breakup in 2015, she felt like she had no more love in her life. So Franco leaned on her friends for support. They did yoga, cooked and read together. As she and her friends grew closer, she realized they were a deep well of love, community and healing. And she began to understand the importance of non-romantic, non-family relationships.

Now, Franco wants to help others experience that profound level of friendship too. Her new book, Platonic: How the Science of Attachment Can Help You Make — and Keep — Friends , which came out this month, offers insights on how to improve the quality of our platonic relationships using the latest research on human connection. She talks to Life Kit about how to deepen those bonds and find happiness and fulfillment in the process.

Marisa Franco, Ph.D. is a psychologist, friendship expert the author of Platonic: How the Science of Attachment Can Help You Make — and Keep — Friends. Left: Darren Agboh/Right: G.P. Putnam's Sons hide caption

"It takes an entire community for us to feel whole," writes Franco in her book. Psychologists have long theorized that humans need meaningful social connections to survive. In fact, it's linked to our mental and physical wellbeing. Knowing that we have people to lean on and care for us makes us feel confident and assured.

And the stronger our relationships are, the more likely we are to thrive, she adds. So how do we intensify the existing friendships in our lives? Franco offers four tips, based on her research.

1. Shower them with (platonic) affection

We often think of affection as the sort of love we show in romantic relationships. But affection is more than holding hands and kissing. It's about communicating love and appreciation.

There are many ways you can show platonic love to your friends, says Franco. Tell them how much they mean to you. Tell them when you think of them in passing. Remind them you are grateful to know them. These simple acts provide a layer of security in the relationship. It shows your friends that you genuinely care for them and lets them know it's safe to invest in your friendship.

It might feel strange to show affection to a friend, she says, because unlike romantic relationships, platonic relationships often lack a script for explicit declarations of love. But research has shown that these displays of affection are much appreciated.

A 2018 study published in the journal Psychological Science asked people to write letters of gratitude to someone in their life and rate how they would be received. The participants consistently overestimated how awkward the recipient would feel and underestimated how happy it made them.

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However, cautions Franco, it's important to understand people's different levels of comfort when it comes to affection. Maybe one of your friends, for example, hates hugs but loves compliments. So talk to your friends and figure out their friendship love language, she says. Ask them: "How would you like me to show you that I really value you?"

2. Lavish them with your skills and talents

Being generous with your friends — sharing your time, attention or resources with them — is an easy way to nurture your friendships, says Franco. It's an expression of love that shows you want to invest more in the relationship.

"People want to be and stay friends with people who value them, and generosity is a way to express that," Franco says. And there's science that shows it pays off — a 2019 study in the journal Frontiers in Psychology found that junior and high school students who exhibited traits like generosity and empathy were more likely to build deep, long-lasting friendships than students who didn't identify with those characteristics.

Franco suggests a personal approach. "Think about what your skills and talents are and find a way to turn that into a generous act," she says. For example, when she found out that her friends wanted to learn more about how to set up investment accounts, she used her research and analysis skills as a psychologist to put together a presentation on the topic for them.

4 tips to stay connected when your friends live far away

You can share acts of generosity like this with your friends, too. If you're great with kids, you might offer to babysit for your friends who are parents. If you're a gym rat, you could help your friend train for a race they have coming up. Or if you got a raise at work, treat your friends to a fancy dinner to celebrate.

3. Spill your struggles, joys ... and guilty pleasures

Think about how good it feels to tell a friend you secretly like a trashy TV show and hear them respond "me too!" We feel a deeper connection to our friends when our vulnerability is met with validation and support, says Franco. It means they accept us for who we really are, the good and the bad.

It can be scary to be open with our feelings. It can come with the risk of shame or rejection. But research has shown that people are a lot less likely to reject you for being vulnerable than you think.

A study published by the American Sociological Association asked strangers to disclose varying levels of intimate information with a group of women. The researchers found that the more open the strangers were, the more the women liked them. "When someone's vulnerable with you, it indicates they trust you," says Franco.

So don't be afraid to share your struggles with your friends, whether it's an ex you're having trouble getting over or a new job you're having second thoughts about. They're not going to judge you — and it may bring you closer.

If you're looking for a way to let your guard down without divulging your darkest secrets, Franco suggests sharing something positive, like a personal achievement — maybe you just finished sewing your first quilt, or you broke your own time record on a run.

4. Don't sweep your disagreements under the rug

It's hard to deal with conflict in friendships, says Franco. People often see them as something that's supposed to be fun and lighthearted, or less formal than romantic or family relationships, so they downplay problems when they arise, she adds.

But being able to deal with conflict with friends in a healthy, constructive way can strengthen your friendships, she says. It might be painful at first, but it shows you want to be authentic with them — and that you want to make your relationship better.

Friendships Change. Here's How To Deal

In fact, research has shown that conflict is "actually linked to deeper intimacy," says Franco. A study in the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships asked 273 participants to share a time when they felt hurt or angry when someone mishandled their private information. Those who were able to work out the problem with the people involved said that it improved their relationships.

So if you have an issue with a friend, don't sweep it under the rug. Try talking about it. Here are some tips:

• Start by telling your friend how much you value them , says Franco. It signals that the reason you're bringing up the issue is because you're invested in the friendship. 
• Use "I" statements when explaining your concerns so your friend doesn't feel like you're blaming them. For example, if you've noticed they've been canceling plans at the last minute since they started a new job, you might say: "I feel hurt when you bail on our plans without giving me any notice."
• Ask your friend for a different behavior you want to see in the future. For example, "It would be great if you gave me a heads up a few hours in advance if you know you're not going to be able to make it." 

While conflict might be uncomfortable at first, Franco says it's something to embrace. "It allows us to illuminate each other on how to be better for each other, forever enhancing a friendship."

Your Turn: How do you show affection to your friends?

Tell us how you communicate love and appreciation to your friends. Email your response to [email protected] with the subject line "Affection" by Sept. 20, 2022 and include your name and location. We may feature it in a story on NPR.

The audio portion of this episode was produced by Sylvie Douglis. The digital story was edited by Malaka Gharib. We'd love to hear from you. Leave us a voicemail at 202-216-9823 , or email us at [email protected] .

Listen to Life Kit on Apple Podcasts and Spotify , or sign up for our newsletter .

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How to Make the Lasting Friendships You Want

When I was a young adult, I loved the song “Did I Happen to Mention” by Julia Fordham. In the song, Fordham laments the potential loss of her lover and sings, “I need another good friend like I need…a hole in my head”—a sentiment I probably agreed with at the time. After all, I had lots of great friends. But compared to a romantic partner, they seemed less important somehow.


That kind of thinking may be common, but it’s very wrong-headed, writes psychologist Marisa Franco in her new book, Platonic: How the Science of Attachment Can Help You Make—and Keep—Friends . Our friends are important to our happiness and well-being, she argues, and they often fulfill us even more than other relationships can.

“We choose our friends, which allows us to surround ourselves with people who root for us, get us, and delight in our joy,” she writes. “Through friendship, we can self-select into some of the most affirming, safe, and sacred relationships of our lives.” The benefits of having close friends in our lives are multiple, says Franco. They make us feel whole, increase our ability to be empathic, and help us to figure out who we are. Friendships are important for healthy aging , too. And they benefit society as a whole, as friendships increase trust and cross-group friendships can decrease prejudice .

Yet some of us make friends more easily than others, depending partly on our “attachment style”—how secure or insecure we’ve learned to feel in relationships. If we assume we are worthy of love and trust friends to provide it (a secure attachment style), it’s likely we’ll have many warm, supportive friendships. But, if we fear abandonment from others, we may act clingingly (anxious attachment style) or act as if we don’t care and withdraw from others (avoidant attachment style). Franco helps people identify their own attachment style (or that of their friends) and gives wise advice for how to prevent an insecure attachment style from torpedoing promising relationships.

If you’re unsure how to make friends or deepen intimacy, Franco has lots of tips for you that can help. 

Take the initiative

It’s obvious that you won’t make friends if no one takes the initiative to connect. But it can seem daunting to do that, especially if you assume friendships need to happen organically, without effort (an attitude likely to stymie friendship) or people won’t like you if they get to know you (a fear that is likely overblown ).

Friendship takes effort, but it can happen in a number of ways. Franco suggests that if you’re more introverted, reconnecting with an old friend you haven’t seen in a while may work well. Or, if you’re more extroverted, you can pay attention when you experience moments of connection with new acquaintances and take a step toward building friendship—maybe asking if they’d like to get coffee sometime.

“We have to put ourselves out there and try. It’s a process of reaching out over and over again,” writes Franco.

To that end, it can be good to join groups or classes that meet more than once, so that you have multiple opportunities to take the initiative. Anticipating more regular contact with someone can be important for building friendships, too.

Increase your willingness to be vulnerable

This is an important part of friendship that too many people ignore. We feel closer to people when we are vulnerable with them, sharing our fears, insecurities, or regrets. And we can grow in intimacy by responding well when others divulge their own foibles to us.

“Understanding and feeling attuned to others’ vulnerability is a key to developing and deepening friendships—and missing those cues can jeopardize them,” says Franco.

People may be fearful that others will judge them if they share things they feel ashamed of. But research suggests the opposite —you endear yourself to others when you share intimacies with them, as long as you don’t overshare or use vulnerability to manipulate someone. This may help explain why the famous “Fast Friends” exercise, where two strangers ask and answer 36 increasingly personal questions , works so well .

One warning, though, says Franco: If you are vulnerable with someone who is avoidant, they may not react as well as you’d like. “Since they are more uncomfortable with emotion, when others are vulnerable, the intimacy, trust, and love inherent to the interaction may be eclipsed by their discomfort with feelings.”

Let people see your authentic self

Being your own authentic self, writes Franco, is when “we aren’t triggered, when we can make intentional, rather than reactive, decisions about how we want to show up in the world.” In other words, it’s not about “telling it like it is” or being brutally honest even if it means putting others down. It’s feeling safe enough to access our higher self and being congruent with our values.

For achieving more authenticity with others, Franco suggests practicing mindfulness, which helps you to access and accept your moment-to-moment experiences. In this way, you can know your inner self better and be less prone to acting defensively when you feel uncomfortable, and more resilient if someone rejects you.

However, while being authentic can build friendships, it may be difficult to be yourself when faced with prejudice. “In a perfect world, we would all be loved in our most authentic form, but in the real world, privilege plays into whose authentic self is welcomed and whose is rejected,” writes Franco. It’s important to “decouple rejection from self-condemnation” and, when necessary, to vet people before bringing your whole self to the relationship.

Be productive with your anger, when it’s needed

All close relationships can involve conflicts or hurts that need repair . So, it’s important to use anger wisely in these situations. Franco recommends letting a friend know when you’re upset with them and why, but with a focus on preserving the relationship (anger born of hope) rather than lashing out with blame or punishment (anger born of despair).

“Anger of despair is the destructive force we typically associate with anger. Anger of hope, however, is a healing force that can deepen friendships, one that we should embrace,” she writes.

That means not letting things fester, but expressing upsets by saying how much you value the friendship, using “I” statements, and admitting fault for your role in creating the conflict. Friends who work through conflict are closer because of it and have more satisfying relationships.

Act with generosity

Generosity can be the social glue that ties people together, and the same goes for friendship. People who are kind and generous are more likely to have many friends and have greater well-being.

Franco recommends performing acts of kindness to cement friendships—like sending a hand-written card, baking a treat, offering to pick up someone from the airport, or letting someone borrow a jacket. Just be sure that you aren’t sacrificing yourself by offering too much generosity to too many people. Otherwise, you may burn out—or cause your relationships to suffer .

Giving with an agenda—to make someone love you, for example—or having generosity only go in one direction probably won’t result in friendship. In those cases, it may be best to cut ties or set your expectations lower for that friendship.

On the other hand, Franco says, you do need to show up when a good friend is in crisis—even when it’s a sacrifice.

“For friendship to flourish, we need to know if we call a friend crying because we got fired from our job at the nuclear power plant, they won’t text back, ‘I am currently unavailable,’” she writes.

Show affection

As James Taylor once sang, “Shower the people you love with love. Show them the way that you feel.” That includes your friends. Showing affection is a sure way to make someone feel valued.

Yet some people may fear expressing affection for a friend, worrying that it will be unwanted or misconstrued. This may be especially true for men in cultures where homophobia is rampant or where men are raised not to feel their feelings for other men—or even women.

Still, research shows that outward expressions of caring are an important ingredient in friendship for everyone. You may need to tailor your affection to your friend’s tolerance for closeness—physical or emotional. But people like people who like them, and showing affection communicates that you like someone—while withholding it can be a relationship killer.

“The more you show affection, the more likely you are to not just make friends, but also deepen the friendships you already have,” writes Franco.

All in all, Franco’s central message is that we have the power to strengthen friendships, if only we invest in them. And it’s worth it, because when we value our friendships, we can transform our lives for the better.

“Don’t wait for a calamity to rock you into realizing friendship is priceless,” she writes. “Engrave friendship on your list. Make being a good friend a part of who you are, because a deep and true core that needs to belong lies within us all.”

About the Author

Jill Suttie

Jill Suttie, Psy.D. , is Greater Good ’s former book review editor and now serves as a staff writer and contributing editor for the magazine. She received her doctorate of psychology from the University of San Francisco in 1998 and was a psychologist in private practice before coming to Greater Good .

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Speeches > Beth Vaughan Cole > “When upon Life’s Billows”: Take a Friend

“When upon Life’s Billows”: Take a Friend

Beth vaughan cole.

Dean of the BYU College of Nursing

April 8, 2008

Thank you, Vice President Rogers, for your kind introduction. The music was beautiful. Brothers and sisters, honored guests, my esteemed colleagues and staff, and my dear, treasured students: welcome. It is an honor to be speaking to you today.

Many of you were present on January 15 of this year when President Henry B. Eyring gave his address about the trials that people face over a lifetime. He named three:

First: We can feel overcome with pain and sorrow at the death of a loved one.

Second: Each of us will struggle against fierce opposition—some of which comes from dealing with our physical needs and some from enemies.

Third: Each of us who live past the age of accountability will feel the need to escape from the effects of sin. [“ The Power of Deliverance ,” BYU devotional, 15 January 2008]

Every loving parent and every loving adult in this room would like to protect you from the harsh trials that life will present to you, but we know no one who has escaped the difficult vicissitudes of life. We want you to be strong. We want you to know how to manage any difficulty that might come your way. We want you to be resilient when you are faced with life’s trials. How do we help you develop those qualities? We can’t and shouldn’t make all your choices for you—that will not make you strong. So we give to you what wisdom we have gleaned along our paths through life. My task today is to share with you some of that wisdom.

Over the past 10 years I have been involved in the lives of people who have experienced the death of a loved one. Helping them address the grief and bereavement and adjustments in their lives has been a tender, spiritual, and inspiring experience. As President Eyring noted, we will all have trials. Some of them will be to adjust to the deaths of loved ones in our lives.

David Balk’s research at Kansas State University reports that 25 percent of college students experienced the death of a family member in the past year and that 30 percent experienced the death of a friend in that same time period (see David E. Balk and Laura C. Vesta, “Psychological Development During Four Years of Bereavement: A Longitudinal Case Study,” Death Studies 22, no. 1 [January–February 1998]: 23–41). Mild, moderate, or severe grief can interfere with learning, with interpersonal relationships, and with sleeping, eating, and personal growth. Death is the last taboo of our American society. We can talk about it in the third person, and we can talk about it in movies, textbooks, and literature, but it is still very difficult to talk about it in everyday life. Many people will need a friend or friends during difficult times—they’ll need someone they can talk to about the trials they are experiencing.

I have entitled my talk “‘When upon Life’s Billows’: Take a Friend.” Many of you are familiar with Johnson Oatman Jr.’s hymn “Count Your Blessings.” The first verse is:

When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,

When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,

Count your many blessings; name them one by one,

And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.

[ Hymns, 1985, no. 241 ]

Friendship is one of the greatest blessings we can have. Our friends provide comfort and counsel. They accept—or at least tolerate—our peculiarities and often laugh spontaneously at our jokes. Most of all, they are really quite forgiving of our imperfections.

A dear friend gave me a bowl decorated with a quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson. It says, “A friend may well be reckoned the masterpiece of Nature” (“Friendship,” Essays: First Series [1841]). In truth, a friend may well be a divine masterpiece. Professionally, I have worked as a college faculty member in psychiatric–mental health nursing. I have studied human relationships and health for decades. Research from the past 30 years on social support and health offers strong evidence for a positive relationship between social support and the outcomes of many health-related variables. Friendships, along with kinship or family relationships, are the most researched social relationships. Today I want to focus on friendship.

In particular, I want to talk about four aspects of friendship that I hope will offer some assistance to you throughout your life: (1) make friends, (2) make friends with a wide variety of people, (3) make your spouse your friend, and (4) make Christ your friend.

Make Friends

Most of you in this room are young. I hope that you have traversed the rocky road of adolescent friendships and are now ready for mature, reciprocal friendships. Mature relationships are precious. At this time in your lives, developing adult friendships may be complicated by the goal to find “the right one.” You are anxious about whether you will ever find your “perfect love,” “soul mate,” and “lifelong partner.” For many of you, one of your goals for your time at BYU is to find a partner. And I am in support of that goal. It will happen for many of you, and it will be a great blessing in your lives.

But in your search for your partner, I hope that you will have time to make friends—good friends, maybe even lifelong friends. You can learn so much from them. Not all friendships become lifelong relationships, but friends can be the connections between all of us. Recently my ward bishop, Robert Merkley, gave one of the most eloquent and spiritual talks I have ever heard about loving one another and about Christ’s love for us. He exhorted those listening to learn to truly love their brothers and sisters here on earth. I believe the Savior’s teaching that we must love one another was pervasive and unlimited. Yes, our most important relationships will and should be those in our families, but friendships outside of our families can be very important and beautiful as well.

There are scriptures that support the importance of good friendships:

• Exodus 33:11 : “And the Lord spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend.”
• 1 Samuel 18:1 : “And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.”
• Mark 5:19 : Christ said to a man whom He had just rid of unclean spirits, “Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.”
• John 11:5 : “Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.”
• John 11:11 : “These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.”
• John 11:35 : When Jesus came to the grave where Lazarus lay, “Jesus wept.”
• John 15:13 : “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

I believe that Jesus’ friendships were deep, profound, and of great importance to Him.

Friendships take time and attention to develop, although I have observed that the process may not take as much time as you might think. I have seen 15 minutes of honest exchange make deep changes in a life. I know long talks can change lives as well. A friend is kind to you, knows and likes you, and wishes the best for you.

The scriptures talk about loving your neighbor. There may be a difference between a neighbor and a friend, but I don’t think anyone would question that the good Samaritan described in Luke 10:29–37 was truly a friend to the man from Jericho. You know the story: A man from Jericho fell among thieves and was beaten. A priest and a Levite both passed the wounded man, and neither offered help.

But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,

And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.

Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?

And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise. [ Luke 10:33–37 ]

I think there is a very simple test for determining if someone is a good friend. Does your association with that person make you a better person? Does he or she inspire you to be the best that you can be? Does your friendship with that person sustain you during difficult times? Do you desire to make the world a better place for your friend? Do take time to make friends.

Make Friends with a Wide Variety of People

The second point I would like to make is that we should make friends with all different types of people. There is often a great deal of loneliness on a campus this large. While talking to new people may be easy for some, for others it takes an extraordinary effort. Some people are self-conscious and painfully shy. As a mother I was aware of such diversities in my children, who are different from each other in their abilities to make friends. When they were young, two of my children could keep a room of people engaged and entertained, while the other two were quieter in temperament. One ran into the library and hid under a table when asked to read an essay at school. They have all matured now and all have friends, but, most important of all, they are friends to each other.

Even with our similarities, we as humans have many differences. If you are gregarious, take the time to befriend a quieter person—you can learn that quietness and silence are great teachers. If you are on the shy side, make the effort to get to know a few others; someone who is more outgoing could teach you how to speak up and be responsive in a group. Learn from each other.

I have noticed that there are some people who attract a large group of friends. Sometimes they attract more people than they can truly, reasonably spend a lot of time with. Often people who want to be their friend are offended when they do not receive the attention they would like. Don’t be offended. Remember: friendships take time and nurturing. There are so many others who would love to have you for a friend and spend time with you. If you take offense that you have been left out or ignored, you will not be ready to see the possibilities for friendships with the people around you.

In The Weight of Glory, C. S. Lewis wrote:

It is a serious thing to live in a society of possible gods and goddesses, to remember that the dullest and most uninteresting person you talk to may one day be a creature which, if you saw it now, you would be strongly tempted to worship. . . . It is in the light of these overwhelming possibilities, it is with the awe and the circumspection proper to them, that we should conduct all our dealings with one another, all friendships, all loves, all play, all politics. There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal. . . . Your neighbour is the holiest object presented to your senses. [C. S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory and Other Addresses (New York: Macmillan, 1949), 14–15; emphasis in original]

Make friends with a wide variety of people.

Make Your Spouse Your Friend

The third issue regarding friendship that I would like to discuss is that of making your spouse your friend. Some of you may marry someone you have known since you were children together, but most of you will not. You will marry someone you have gotten to know within months, or even a few years, before you marry. While your affection for one another is a good beginning for a strong relationship, it may take more to sustain a lifelong relationship. Hopefully the years will open up a wealth of experiences that you can share. But becoming true friends with each other will take time. Take time to listen to each other’s concerns, dreams, and interests; plan things together; and support each other as best you can. Include each other in your everyday lives. Learn to appreciate that your spouse is unique and different from you and seek to understand him or her, even if you disagree. Encourage your spouse to develop his or her talents and interests, but also do things you both enjoy together. Again, remember that it takes time to make and keep a friend.

My husband and I have nearly raised our children, and now we have more time to nurture our relationship. Boy, was I clever! I married an amazing person—he gets better and better as I get to know him. I enjoy talking to him, listening to him, and just being with him. We don’t agree on everything, but we do agree on the important things. I wish you well in making your spouse your best friend.

Make Christ Your Friend

The last issue I would like to address about friendship is that precious relationship you have with Christ. Some of you may know the song “What a Friend We Have in Jesus,” with words by Joseph M. Scriven and music by Charles C. Converse:

What a friend we have in Jesus,

All our sins and griefs to bear!

What a privilege to carry

Everything to God in prayer!

Oh, what peace we often forfeit,

Oh, what needless pain we bear,

All because we do not carry

The song implores us to take our grief, our sorrow, and our burdens to the Lord in prayer. He truly is our friend, and we can take our troubles to Him. He can be the friend we need.

Christ’s atoning sacrifice is the essential cornerstone of our lives:

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. [ John 3:16 ]

Through His atoning sacrifice we are made whole. It is a very unique and transforming experience to know and understand Christ’s gift to us. Does it change you to know Him? What have you done because you know Him?

When I was a little older than most of you students, I moved to Utah from back East. I had made wonderful girlfriends in Boston, and a group of us moved from Boston to the West. (We’ve stayed in contact—many of us are dear friends today.) One of my friends had taken a position as a schoolteacher in Cokeville, Wyoming, and five of us planned a wonderful outing to visit her there for one day in May. We planned to go horseback riding in the afternoon, stay overnight, and return to Salt Lake the next day.

We arrived in the late morning, and within a short while we got into our friend’s very large Cadillac to drive to the riding stables, which were just over a mountain pass about 45 minutes away. It was cool in the morning, but by the time we left it was warm and pleasant. Some of us were dressed for riding—wearing boots, long pants, and a coat. Others had sneakers and sweaters. The car easily held all six of us.

We began the climb over the pass. As we made a turn, we saw an eagle in the road. It took off and soared in slow, arcing circles. It was a spectacular sight—a great omen for a wonderful day ahead, right? As we climbed higher, snow started to dot the sides of the road. The road started turning to mush, and it was getting harder to go forward. Even though we were still going up, we thought we must have been getting close to our destination. Eventually the car would go no farther—it was so mired in mud that we could not move it forward or backward. We tried everything we could think to do.

Because we were almost there, we got out and started walking toward the stables. We walked for a couple of hours, and it was hard in the muck and snow. We couldn’t see any stables, houses, or any kind of shelter, and it was starting to get cold—it even starting snowing. We knew we needed to get back to the car for safety for the night, so we headed back.

By the time we got there, it was dark. We spent the night in the car. The only food we had was a box of cereal and a few candies, but our spirits were still high. We stayed warm by turning the heater on and off, and we tried to sleep, but, as you can imagine, it did not come easily. We prayed simply and earnestly for help and courage to handle the situation.

As the sun came up the next morning, we still couldn’t get the car out. One person was only wearing sneakers, and her feet had become red and blistered from all the walking the previous day. She was unable to walk easily or quickly. Another friend stayed with her in the car while four of us started to walk back in the direction we had come.

We had walked for about an hour or two when we came upon two fishermen. They told us that they could not drive us out to the town from where they were because the roads needed to dry before their jeep could get out. They had been camping and had a campfire and food; they generously prepared a wonderful breakfast for us.

A little later, one of the men took the jeep and went in search of our car. He returned with my other two friends, who had started to walk; they were hobbling as they got out of the car. As these men were feeding my friends, one of them heated a pot of water, and after it was warm he had my friends sit down. He took each of my friends’ feet and washed them, putting some salve on their sores and blisters and socks on their feet. The tender comfort and healing efforts of these two men was in similitude of our Savior. I don’t know these men. The only piece of information that I remember was that they worked for the Ogden Standard-Examiner. A couple of hours later they drove us to my friend’s house, and we returned to Salt Lake later that day.

As I recall that day, I don’t remember being afraid or even worried very much. Three decades later, I remember vividly not the near tragedy but the beautiful image of true compassion—a compassionate man washing the feet of a stranger.

I am very grateful for my wonderful friends. I ask those of you who know Christ, who believe in Christ, and who have faith in Christ to let His example help you be a friend to others. Make a wide variety of friends. Make your spouse your friend. And, without question, make Christ your friend. I say this in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

© Brigham Young University. All rights reserved.

Beth Vaughan Cole was dean of the BYU College of Nursing when this devotional address was given on 8 April 2008.

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Speech about Friendship

Speculating upon what to write and what not to write when you sit down to prepare a speech on friendship? This article will offer some hand-holding and assist you to write your own friendship day speech.

Speech on How Important It Is to Have a Friend?

As social beings, humans always look out for companionship irrespective of the kind of people they are. Friends make one’s life meaningful and colourful. As kids, your cousins would be the first friends you make. As you grow up, you meet random people who express similar interests, and these are the ones who become your friends eventually.

Friendship is as sweet as it is, but you should always try to make the right kind of friends who would be a strong support in helping you grow. Bad friends can make you feel good about what you do, especially when you do something that is not right. This kind of a friendship would never help you grow to become the kind of person you are destined to be. Good friends, on the other hand, are one of the most wonderful treasures life can possibly give you. Friends are the family you choose. They always stand by you in every situation, no matter what.

Below are a few samples that would aid you in writing a speech on friendship, one that you can say not just on a friendship day but any random day when you want to let your friends know how important they are to you.

Friendship Day Speech

Short speech about friendship, faqs on friendship day.

Friendship Day is celebrated on the first Sunday in the month of August. The idea of celebrating Friendship Day globally was first thought of by Dr. Roman Artemio Bracho in 1958. It, however, was made official by the United Nations General Assembly in 2011. July 30 was declared as the International Day of Friendship with the idea of instilling friendly relations between people, countries, cultures and individuals, which would, in turn, inspire peace among different communities. Since then, people all around the world celebrate Friendship Day by exchanging friendship bands, gifts and greeting cards.

Being in school, Friendship Day was one of the most anticipated celebrations when you wait to collect as many friendship bands as possible every year. To a school kid, the number of friendship bands meant that you had a lot of friends. Friendship bands are definitely a good way to make new friends and also to remind your old friends that they matter to you. However, I would like to say that the number of friendship bands you gain on a Friendship Day does not count. All that counts is that you have at least one friend who has always got your back and would not give up on you even when you give up on yourself. You will feel a lot more lively and confident with just this one person by your side. Friends don’t stand by you only when you are happy; they make sure you are holding up and getting better even in the toughest times. They will love you for what you are and hold your hand even at your worst.

Make friends with your kind of people, and you will have the time of your life. There might be misunderstandings and fights among friends, but it is these fights that would make your bond even stronger. Friends eventually become your family. So, on this Friendship Day, I wish you good friendships and a life filled with happiness and adventure. Happy Friendship Day everyone.

Vladimir Lenin said, “Show me who your friends are, and I will tell you what you are.” The friends you keep are a reflection of the kind of person you are. One becomes friends with people who share similar interests. C.S. Lewis said, “Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another, ‘What! You too? I thought I was the only one.” Those who like the same songs, bond over a favourite series or a nostalgic place are the ones who would for sure turn out to be the closest and thickest of friends.

Friends always stand by you. From participating in competitions to getting scolded by parents and teachers, your friends will be there all along. They will keep all your secrets safe and give you the solutions to almost every problem. A good friend guides you and helps you choose the right path.

Have you ever thought what it would be like to live in a world without friends? Those who have had good friends in their life can never imagine a life without them. Friends can influence your life to a great extent in both good and bad ways. It is up to you to choose the right company to keep. Cherish your friends and the times you spend with them because they make the future you. So choose your friends wisely and live life to the fullest.

Why are friends so special?

Friends include the best kind of people you have in your life. Friends can be your unpaid therapist. They can help you out of any mood swings and can cheer you up even if you do not want to feel better. Having a good friend is one of the greatest gifts of life. Cherish your friends and the times you spend with them because they make the future you.

What makes a good friend?

A good friend would be a person who is a well-wisher and the one who would always push you to do your best. A good friend knows you better than you think you know yourself. A good friend would hold your hand and stand beside you in all your happiest and saddest moments of life.

What are the quotes you can use in a friendship day speech?

Some examples of quotes that can be used when you write down your Friendship Day speech are given below: “A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out.” — Walter Winchell “The only way to have a friend is to be one.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson “A good friend is a connection to life, a tie to the past, a road to the future, the key to sanity in a totally insane world.” — Lois Wyse “True friends are those rare people who come to find you in dark places and lead you back to the light.” — Anonymous

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Student Opinion

15 Prompts for Talking and Writing About Friendship

Questions to help students reflect on the meaning of friendship in their lives

By Natalie Proulx

Who are your closest friends? How much do you share with them? Do you actually like your friends? What have you learned from them?

Below, we’ve rounded up 15 questions we’ve asked students over the years all about friendship. You can use them as prompts for writing or discussion, inside the classroom or out. We hope they’ll inspire you to reflect on your friendships, consider how you can strengthen the ones you have, and motivate you to reach out and make new ones.

Each prompt includes an excerpt from a related New York Times article, essay or photo; a link to the related piece; and several questions to help you think deeply about it. Many of these questions are still open for comment from students 13 or older.

You can find even more ideas for teaching and learning about friendship in our related lesson plan: How Students Can Cultivate Meaningful Friendships Using The New York Times .

1. Who Are Your Friends?

Do you have a “best friend,” a few close friends or a large group of friends? What interests, experiences, passions and circumstances forge those relationships? What are some of your favorite memories or admirable characteristics you associate with your friends?

Use this Picture Prompt to talk or write about your most important friendships.

2. How Alike Are You and Your Friends?

Did you know there is science behind how we choose our friends? Research has shown that we tend to befriend people who are much like us in a wide array of characteristics, including age, race, religion, even our handgrip strength.

In this prompt , you’ll read more about the things that bond us, and then share what you and your friends have in common.

3. Do You Have Any Unlikely Friendships?

Though we tend to connect with people who are like us, sometimes friendship happens with someone we’d least expect. That was the case for Spencer Sleyon, a 22-year-old rapper and producer from East Harlem, and Rosalind Guttman, an 81-year-old woman living in a retirement community in Florida, who met playing the Words With Friends game.

Do you have any surprising friendships like this one?

4. How Much Do You Share With Your Friends?

Do you often express your innermost thoughts, feelings and struggles to those closest to you? Or do you tend to keep those things to yourself? Being vulnerable can be scary, but research shows it’s important for building connections with others.

Use this prompt to reflect on what it feels like to open up to your friends, and how you might try to do more of it.

5. Do You Have Satisfying Friendships?

Are internet friendships as fulfilling as in-person ones? In a guest essay, a writer argues that “The kind of presence required for deep friendship does not seem cultivated in many online interactions. Presence in friendship requires ‘being with’ and ‘doing for.’”

Do you agree? Can online “friends” be true friends? Share your opinion.

6. Do You Have Any Close Friends?

Do you prefer to have many casual friends or just a few close ones? What makes a person a “best” friend? Do you wish you had more close friendships? This prompt explores these questions and more, as well as shares expert advice for developing deeper friendships.

7. How Do You React When Your Friendships Change?

Have you ever become less close to a friend over time? Have you ever felt jealousy when your friend joined another friend group? Have you ever had a friendship just fizzle out? These kinds of changes happen all the time, but they can be difficult to navigate.

Tell us what you do when you feel a friendship start to shift.

8. Do Social Media and Smartphones Make Your Friendships Stronger?

Does being able to stay constantly in touch with your friends via social media, texting and location sharing strengthen your friendships and make them easier to maintain? Or does it do the opposite? Weigh in with your experiences on this prompt .

9. Do You Like Your Friends?

It may sound like a strange question, but a 2016 study found that only about half of perceived friendships are mutual. That means you might not even like someone who thinks of you as a best friend. And vice versa.

Is this is true for any of your relationships?

10. How Often Do You Text Your Friends Just to Say ‘Hi’?

When was the last time you texted, called, emailed or messaged a friend just to say “hello”? Research suggests casual check-ins might mean more than we realize. Do you underestimate how much your friends would like hearing from you?

Read what experts have to say and then share your thoughts.

11. Is It Harder for Men and Boys to Make and Keep Friends?

American men appear to be stuck in a “friendship recession,” according to a recent survey. Less than half of men said they were truly satisfied with the number of friendships they had. The same study also found that men are less likely than women to seek emotional support from or share personal feelings with their friends.

Does this reflect your experience? Weigh in.

12. Do You Have Any Intergenerational Friendships?

“When applying to my job, I had no idea of the friendships I would be making with 70+ year old women. They teach me new things every day while I hear their life stories and things they have done,” Laura from Ellisville wrote in response to this prompt.

Do you have any friends who are significantly younger or older than you? What do you think we can gain from these kinds of intergenerational friendships? Tell us here.

13. Have You Ever Been Left Out?

Imagine it’s a Saturday. All your friends told you they were busy, so you’re sitting at home, alone, mindlessly scrolling through Instagram. But then you see a post that stops you in your tracks. It’s a picture of all of your friends hanging out together — without you. This is what happened to Hallie Reed in her first semester at college.

Has something like this ever happened to you? Use this prompt to talk or write about how it felt.

14. What Have Your Friends Taught You About Life?

“My friends taught me different perspectives on life.” “My friends have taught me to not care what other people think.” “My friends have taught me to be myself.”

These are just a few of the responses teenagers had to this prompt. What have your friends taught you?

15. Have You Ever Had a Significant Friendship End?

Few relationships are meant to last forever. In a guest essay, Lauren Mechling writes that “even bonds founded on that rare, deeply felt psychic connection between two people” are “bound to fray.”

Have you experienced this with someone with whom you were once very close? What happened? Share your story.

Students 13 and older in the United States and Britain, and 16 and older elsewhere, are invited to comment. All comments are moderated by the Learning Network staff, but please keep in mind that once your comment is accepted, it will be made public and may appear in print.

Find more Student Opinion questions here. Teachers, check out this guide to learn how you can incorporate these prompts into your classroom.

Natalie Proulx joined The Learning Network as a staff editor in 2017 after working as an English language arts teacher and curriculum writer. More about Natalie Proulx

Philia: Friendship Love And Why It's Beneficial

When most people hear the word “love,” they may instantly think of romantic relationships. However, there can be many types of love, and perhaps one of the most overlooked may be philia, which generally refers to love between friends. This type of love can be vital, even if you’re in a happy romantic relationship. Different types of love can fulfill different needs in your life. A healthy friendship generally involves empathy, compassion, honesty, and independence. For professional help with challenges regarding friendships and relationships, consider scheduling an in-person or online session with a licensed therapist.

What is philia?

Types of friendships.

According to Aristotle, there may be three main types of friendships. These types are believed to have been established based on the potential benefits of the relationship.

Useful friendships

This can refer to being friends with someone because of the potential for the friendship to lead to something that you desire, such as a job, business contact, or another benefit.

Pleasurable friendships

This type of friendship is normally based on simple pleasure and enjoyment. This could include hanging out and talking with your friends or going out for drinks, for example.

Virtuous friendships

This may refer to a type of friendship based on true emotional intimacy and not what one person may be getting out of the relationship. It is usually marked by a deeper connection and regard for the other person’s well-being. This type of friendship tends to be more likely to involve philia than the other types.

Tips for building healthy friendships

Healthy friendships can be an important part of life , and philia can be beneficial for your mental health. Even if you’re in a fulfilling romantic relationship, it can still be vital to have friendships, as it’s generally unrealistic and unhealthy to expect your partner to satisfy all your needs. As a lighthearted example, if you love going shopping, but your significant other doesn’t, then this may be a good opportunity for you to spend some quality time with friends who also enjoy this activity.

Real friends can be valuable because they typically provide you with a safe place to be yourself. Genuine, caring friends will not usually judge you or look down on you for your imperfections, and they may not be afraid to call you out on bad behavior either. However, this type of friendship, which likely involves philia, isn’t always easy to find. 

Consider these strategies for building a healthy friendship:

Find a healthy balance 

It’s generally not a healthy relationship if one person is always gaining from the relationship and the other person is constantly giving. Often, people who have low self-esteem find themselves in relationships where they can be seen as doormats. They may constantly do things for the other person without getting much in return. In general, this is not a healthy form of friendship. It can be crucial to find a healthy balance between give and take so that both friends have opportunities to benefit and help each other.

Exercise empathy and compassion

Compassion can be an important part of friendship. A good friend is usually someone who will stay alongside you when you’re going through a difficult time. Even if they don’t understand exactly what you’re going through, they will normally try to understand it the best they can. When they don’t know exactly what to do to make the situation better, they may still be there for you in any way they can, even if it means just listening. Friends may work to support each other and tend to be there for one another, even when others aren’t. It can be helpful to try your best to exercise these qualities within your friendships.

Real friends don’t usually just tell each other what they think the other person wants to hear. Instead, they may work to be open and honest with each other, even when it’s challenging. They may know that in the long run, the truth can be more important than just trying to keep the other person happy for the moment.

Maintain independence

Just because you are good friends—or even best friends—with a person, that does not necessarily mean that you need to solely rely on them or spend all your time with them. Just as with romantic relationships, independence can be an important part of friendships. Acting in a way that could be perceived as clingy or smothering may seem overwhelming to friends. It can be helpful to ensure you’re spending time both together and apart.

Can philia turn into eros?

While philia is the type of love typically associated with friendship and eros is the type of love usually involved in romantic relationships, it can be possible for philia to develop into eros. 

If you find yourself in a friendship that is starting to become something more, the first thing you may need to do is be honest about your feelings. Your friendship will not likely continue to be healthy if you are hiding the feelings you have for the other person. Therefore, you may need to discuss the change that you’re experiencing with your friend to see how they respond. 

If they’re feeling the same way, then your relationship may naturally progress into new areas. Many believe that the most successful relationships tend to begin as friendships. However, if your friend doesn’t feel the same way, it may be necessary to decide on the next steps together.

Getting help with friendship and love

Love is generally not an easy thing, even in friendships. If you find that you’re struggling to form healthy relationships, it can help to talk to a licensed therapist. They can help you identify any areas that may be holding you back from forming good friendships.

Talking about love while sitting across from a stranger can be an intimidating prospect, even if you’re discussing platonic love. This can keep many people from attending traditional therapy sessions with an in-person therapist. Online therapy may be a better alternative for individuals who experience challenges opening up about their feelings. 

Benefits of online therapy

Often, speaking to a therapist online can be more comfortable than speaking face-to-face. You may have the option to speak to your therapist via video call, phone call, or online chat, enabling you to personalize the therapy experience. You can also switch therapists as needed until you find one who meshes well with your personality and preferences.

Effectiveness of online therapy

Although not much research has yet been done on the efficacy of online therapy for helping with friendship, existing evidence generally supports the idea that online therapy is just as effective as in-person therapy . Both options can be valid choices for treatment for those who wish to get professional help with challenges regarding friendships, relationships, and mental health.

The mental health professionals at BetterHelp have helped thousands learn how to create stronger relationships. Read below for reviews from those who have sought help in the past.

Counselor reviews

“I feel real care and compassion from Dr. Sawyer. She read through and between the lines of the background information I gave her, and in our first conversation she quickly focused on my real needs and gave me effective work to do. I immediately felt a sense of hope and direction. I am very confident that I will improve my life and my relationships.”

“I am so happy I got paired with Ruthie Brooks. My sessions with her have been a positive and insightful experience. As a result, I can see my relationships improving and I have a better understanding of myself. She is very professional, kind, and great at what she does.”

What is an example of a philia?

Philia is a word with Greek, not Latin etymology that refers to brotherly love in modern English. Examples of philia include the love you might tell with an actual sibling or a dear friend. It’s similar to platonic love in that it doesn’t have a romantic or sexual element, but it’s typically even stronger, deeper, and more emotionally intimate than platonic connections.

What is the purpose of philia?

Philia is the notion of love that characterizes very close bonds between humans that are not romantic or sexual. Philia can be a connection point for siblings with a close relationship, or it can characterize an intimate bond that close friends have built over the course of years.

How do you show philia love?

There are lots of different ways a good person may demonstrate forms of philia love to a sibling or friend. Although people typically associate the five love languages with romantic love, they can apply to all types of relationships—including those characterized by philia. 

So if your friend or sibling appreciates words of affirmation, you could say or write about what this relationship means to you and your life. If they prefer quality time above other forms of love, you could make an effort to plan and engage in special one-on-one activities, etc.

Does philia mean love of wisdom?

No; the meaning of philia is brotherly love, a kind of deep and intimate love have between siblings or very close friends without concern for or the existence of a romantic component. Philosophia is the Greek term for the love of wisdom.

Is philia the highest form of love?

In the Christian tradition, agape is the highest form of love, not philia. However, an individual can decide for themselves what the highest form of love is in their own lives. For someone with a very deep and emotionally intimate connection with a sibling or friend, for example, philia (true friendship) may be the highest level of love to them. For another, self-love could be the highest form of love in their life.

Is philia a friendly type of love?

Yes. The nature of philia is “brotherly love,” which can be with siblings or very close friends. It’s similar to platonic love in that there’s no romantic or sexual component, but it tends to be even deeper and more emotionally intimate. Aristotle speaks about such friendly types of love in his well-known work, Nicomachean Ethics.

Why is philia love important?

Philia love can represent an important source of care, affection, belonging, and support in a person’s life. Research suggests that all humans need loving connection and support in order to maintain good health, so being seen, understood, and cared for by someone you have philia love with can be a powerful source of this.

How is philia love different from agape love?

Agape can be defined as unconditional love, and philia refers to brotherly love. In practice, it’s possible for a connection characterized by philia—such as a deep, emotional connection between siblings or friends or even for oneself—to also be characterized by agape.

What is the difference between storge love and philia love?

Storge refers to familial love, or the type of affection and care that can characterize family connections like those between parents and children. Philia refers to brotherly love, which is a deep emotional connection that can exist between siblings but can also be with close friends. It’s possible to feel both storge and philia for a sibling you’re especially close to, or for a friend who is part of your chosen family.

Can philia turn to eros?

Philia can refer to a deep, emotional connection and affection between two close friends. Eros refers to love in the form of sexual desire or intimacy. Of course, it is possible for philia to turn to eros for someone who experiences sexual desire, though there are plenty of relationships characterized by philia that never develop this component. 

• Nine Ways Love Can Be Powerful Medically reviewed by Laura Angers Maddox , NCC, LPC
• Nurturing Relationships With Love, Acceptance, And Therapy Medically reviewed by Karen Foster , LPC
• Relationships and Relations

A Short Analysis of Emily Brontë’s ‘Love and Friendship’

When she died in 1848, aged just 30, Emily Brontë had written just one novel, Wuthering Heights . Of course, that novel was a classic and remains one of the most popular and widely read Victorian novels. But Emily Brontë also wrote many poems. ‘Love and Friendship’ sees Emily Brontë reflecting on the differences between these two pillars of our emotional lives.

Love is like the wild rose-briar, Friendship like the holly-tree— The holly is dark when the rose-briar blooms But which will bloom most constantly?

The wild rose-briar is sweet in spring, Its summer blossoms scent the air; Yet wait till winter comes again And who will call the wild-briar fair?

Then scorn the silly rose-wreath now And deck thee with the holly’s sheen, That when December blights thy brow He still may leave thy garland green.

Brontë develops this analogy in the poem’s middle stanza. Love, like roses, is sweet in the spring and summer when it’s fresh; but when it fades, in the autumn and winter months, friendship, like holly (which, as we know from its use at Christmas, does not wilt and wither in the winter), continues to bloom. The poem’s final stanza entreats us to view friendship as more valuable to us than love, and to look after our friends and cherish them, so that when ‘winter’ comes (i.e. when our loves fail us or when our beauty fades and we grow old) we still have our friends.

Emily Brontë uses this simple parallel of the rose and the holly to illuminate and analyse the central distinction between love and friendship. Although this poem is a minor piece, it arguably helps to enrich our understanding of Brontë’s other work, namely her novel, Wuthering Heights . There, too, love will prove to be wild and tempestuous, but ultimately (self-)destructive.

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16 thoughts on “A Short Analysis of Emily Brontë’s ‘Love and Friendship’”

• Pingback: 10 of the Best Poems about Friendship | Interesting Literature

You always have the best posts. Interesting and Intelligent.

Thank you – that’s very kind of you to say!

Great post! Thank you kindly!

Thanks for selection of Emily Brontë’s poem and your exquisite commentary thereof.

• Pingback: Uma breve análise do "amor e amizade" de Emily Brontë - Universo pro

How good to be reminded of Jane Eyre .Thank you for reminding me of Jane Eyre.

Wuthering Heights Is my all-time favourite novel (my daughter’s too) but I didn’t know this poem by Emily (she and I are on first name terms…) – it is absolutely pure EB and does indeed expand our understanding of her astonishing book; one which continues to upset and disturb people to this very day!

I compiled a list of great poems by Emily (as I think I’ll call her now too – or Ellis, perhaps?), a few years ago, but limited myself to the very shortest masterpieces among her poetry. Discovering this one was a joy, especially given the parallels with WH!

Many poets and would-be poets scorn this kind of rhyming verse. I love it. So sad that Emily had such a short life. What might she have achieved in another thirty years?

Reblogged this on Irina's Poetry Corner and commented: Of Love and Friendship by Emily Brontë

Just thirty when she died? She packed a lot of talent into very few years.

Amazing, isn’t it? I learned yesterday that her father, Patrick, set up a school and started teaching paying students when he was 16. When I was 16 I was getting ready to sit my GCSEs – I couldn’t imagine being the other side of the teaching desk at that age!

Emily Bronte’s birthday is coming up in July. In celebration of that event, if anyone is interested in reading about Wuthering Heights, Bronte’s poetry and life, please check out thelivingphilosopher.com in July.

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18 Quotes About Love and Friendship, Perfect for Best Man Speeches

Let these wise and witty quotes inspire one of the most important speeches you’ll ever give. (No pressure!)

Sometimes it can be difficult to find the right words. Luckily, we have hundreds, if not thousands, of years of poetic thoughts at our disposal. When you’re writing your speech, think about what the brotherly love you share with your best friend—or your brother—has done for your lives. Tell a funny story or two, and don’t forget a meaningful quote your audience will remember. Here we’ve collected 17 of great quotes for best man speeches. Let them inspire you to write a speech your best friend and his new spouse will always remember.

1. “We are asleep until we fall in love!” —Leo Tolstoy, War and Peace

2. “I knew when I met you an adventure was going to happen.” —A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh

3. “Friendship ... is born at the moment when one man says to another "What! You too? I thought that no one but myself....” ―C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves

4. “If you have two friends in your lifetime, you're lucky. If you have one good friend, you're more than lucky.” ―S.E. Hinton, That Was Then, This Is Now

5. “Words are easy, like the wind; Faithful friends are hard to find.” ―William Shakespeare, The Passionate Pilgrim

6. “I am glad you are here with me.” ―Frodo to Samwise, The Return of the King , J.R.R. Tolkien

7. “It is love and friendship, the sanctity and celebration of our relationships, that not only support a good life, but create one. Through friendships, we spark and inspire one another’s ambitions.” —Wallace Stegner, Crossing to Safety

8. “Your friends will know you better in the first minute you meet than your acquaintances will know you in a thousand years.” ―Richard Bach, Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah

9. “That’s how it goes, kids. The friends, neighbors, drinking buddies, and partners in crime you love so much when you’re young, as the years go by, you just lose touch. You will be shocked when you discover how easy it is in life to part ways with people forever. That’s why, when you find someone you want to keep around, you do something about it.” —Ted Mosby, How I Met Your Mother , Season 9, Episode 21

10. “It is one of the blessings of old friends that you can afford to be stupid with them.” ―Ralph Waldo Emerson, Emerson in His Journals

11. “I love the friends I have gathered together on this thin raft...” ―Jim Morrison, The Doors, “The Wasp (Texas Radio And The Big Beat)”

12. “When you're in jail, a good friend will be trying to bail you out. A best friend will be in the cell next to you saying, 'Damn, that was fun.'” ―Groucho Marx

13. “Like all of my friends, she's a lousy judge of character.” ―David Sedaris, Me Talk Pretty One Day

14. “If one's friends do not openly laugh at him, they are not in fact his friends. ” ―Dean Koontz, Forever Odd

15. “I get by with a little help from my friends.” ―John Lennon, The Beatles, “With a Little Help From My Friends”

16. “A friend is a person with whom I may be sincere. Before him I may think aloud. I am arrived at last in the presence of a man so real and equal, that I may drop even those undermost garments of dissimulation, courtesy, and second thought, which men never put off, and may deal with him with the simplicity and wholeness with which one chemical atom meets another.” ―Ralph Waldo Emerson , Essays: First Series

17. “For a friend with an understanding heart is worth no less than a brother” ―Homer, The Odyssey

18. “To get the full value of joy you must have someone to divide it with.” —Mark Twain

RELATED: 18 Maid of Honor Speech Quotes That Perfectly Describe How Much You Love Your Best Friend

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• Speech Writing /

Speech on Love for School Students in English

• Updated on  
• Feb 8, 2024

Speech on Love: Love is an emotional feeling with a strong and intense affection for another person. It involves care, attachment, devotion, and responsibility. When people are in love, they experience warm emotions and desire to be close to those they have feelings for.

Love helps us to connect. The connection of love is beyond selfish needs and leads to care and sacrifice. Love can exist between romantic partners, family members, friends, and even animals can fall in love. Love is something that comes through personal experience that shapes one’s life and relationships. 

Also Read: Speech on Love is More Powerful Than Hate

Table of Contents

• 1 Speech on Love in English: Sample 1
• 2 Speech on Love in English: Sample 2
• 3 10 Lines on Speech on Love

Speech on Love in English: Sample 1

‘Ladies and gentlemen, respected faculty and dear friends, today I am here to present to present with you my perspective on the speech on love.

Love comes to us in many ways. The most fundamental form of love is the love for our family and friends. The love of our mother holds us close from the moment we are born. She feeds us with unconditional love. As we grow, our deep bonds with siblings, grandparents, relatives, and friends grow stronger with each passing year. We share laughs, tears, hopes, and dreams with them. Our togetherness supports each other in the ups and downs of life. 

Let me help to understand love with an example. Last year when my sister Shalini had a severe accident, our entire family came together to take care of her. We take care of her treatments, meals, and finances. Furthermore, we keep her spirits high by playing music of her choice and spending quality time together. With the power of love and care, she recovered fast. This experience taught me the importance of family bonds and care which is unbreakable and is difficult in the most difficult times of our life. 

Do we share the same bonds with our friends too? Yes, the same love is true for our close friends. Friends are the next family to us. They are yet another member of our family which we choose for ourselves. They know us deeply and accept us for what we are. My best friend 

Aswani is my childhood friend and has been by my side since middle school. We went through many struggles together but still, we share an unbreakable bond. He brings ice cream and movie tickets to comedy movies whenever I am upset, just to cheer me up. That is the power of true love for friends and friendship.

Love gives us strength, comfort, and courage to face any circumstance of life. The love of family and friends is precious. It is important to express our love and appreciation to our dear ones every day. Thank you.’

Also Read: 10 Best Idioms for Love to Express Your Heart

Speech on Love in English: Sample 2

‘To the honorable guest, teachers, and my dear classmates: Today I am honoured to keep my point of view through my speech on love. 

As soon as we listen to the word love, a picture of our loved and dear ones fills our hearts. It’s very natural to love our parents, siblings and friends. But love is not limited to human beings only. We love our home, our community, our natural environment, and our country. 

Our country provides us with identity, security, and freedom to pursue our dreams. We can in return pay our patriotism and civic responsibilities as gifts to the nation.

For example, we should follow our fundamental duties, vote in elections, keep peace in the country, and take part in social events for the betterment of the society as well as for the country. My parents who are immigrants cast their vote than anything. They never miss any election either local or national. Their dedication is something that motivates me to exercise my love for the betterment of the nation in the form of civil duty.

Another way to serve our country love is through community service. Last year, I volunteered at the Save Earth From Plastic program. The team of volunteers removed many plastics from our local rivers. Through this small action, I connected with the love for the beauty of nature as well as the country. With this small service, I felt proud that I protected my nation from being polluted. 

Furthermore, our love for the country also includes humanity and treating all citizens with humanity and dignity. No matter what the circumstances are, we should not forget the love of equality among us. Participating in protests against injustice serves the purpose of the warmth of different and similar views on the subject.

Our country is a secular and sovereign state. Loving the differences as well as the similarities helps us to give courage, compassion, and love to all who care about our homeland. Let us love our country more for generations to come.

Thank you.’

Also Read: 99+ Psychology Facts About Human Behaviour You Would Find Interesting

10 Lines on Speech on Love

Let us understand the 10 lines of speech on love sweetly and shortly.

1. Love is a strong and intense, long-going, deep affection for another person. It involves care, attachment, devotion, and responsibility.

2. Love helps humans to connect deeply.

3. Love can exist between romantic partners, family members, and friends or between people, and concepts or ideals.

4. The most fundamental form of love is the love for our family and friends.

5. The love of our mother holds us close from the moment we are born. She feeds us with unconditional love.

7. We share laughs, tears, hopes, and dreams with them. Our togetherness supports each other in the ups and downs of life. 

8. As soon as we listen to the word love, a picture of our loved and dear ones fills our hearts. But can I say that in addition to loving our family and friends, it is important to love our country too?

9. Our country provides us with identity, security, and freedom to pursue our dreams. We can in return pay our patriotism and civic responsibilities as gifts to the nation as love.

10. Loving the differences as well as the similarities helps us to give courage, compassion, and love to all who care about our homeland. Let us love our country more for generations to come.

Also Read: 5 Best Social-Emotional Learning Activities

Ans: In my speech, love is a strong and intense, long-going, deep affection for another person as well as for the country. 

Ans: Love supports us in hard times. Also, it helps us to bear our responsibilities towards our family, friends, and country.

Ans. ‘When everything goes to hell, the people who stand by you without flinching–they are your family.’ – Jim Butcher

Ans: I express my love by making sad people happy by gifting them their favorite things and marking my presence whenever they need me. 

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Deepika Joshi

Deepika Joshi is an experienced content writer with expertise in creating educational and informative content. She has a year of experience writing content for speeches, essays, NCERT, study abroad and EdTech SaaS. Her strengths lie in conducting thorough research and ananlysis to provide accurate and up-to-date information to readers. She enjoys staying updated on new skills and knowledge, particulary in education domain. In her free time, she loves to read articles, and blogs with related to her field to further expand her expertise. In personal life, she loves creative writing and aspire to connect with innovative people who have fresh ideas to offer.

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Friend of The Couple Speech

Ai generator.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good evening,

For those who don’t know me, I’m [Your Name], and I have the incredible honor of being a friend to both [Bride’s Name] and [Groom’s Name]. Today, we gather to celebrate their love and the beautiful journey they are embarking on together. It is a privilege to stand here and share a few words about these two wonderful people.

Reflecting on Friendship

I’ve known [Bride’s Name] and [Groom’s Name] for [number] years, and in that time, I have had the pleasure of witnessing their relationship grow and flourish. Individually, they are amazing people—[Bride’s Name], with her kindness, intelligence, and sense of humor, and [Groom’s Name], with his loyalty, strength, and unwavering support for those he loves. Together, they make an incredible team, and their love for each other is truly inspiring.

Cherished Memories

Let me share a few stories that highlight just how special [Bride’s Name] and [Groom’s Name] are. One of my favorite memories with [Bride’s Name] is [insert a funny or heartwarming anecdote about the bride]. This story perfectly illustrates [Bride’s Name]’s [character trait, e.g., adventurous spirit, sense of humor, kind heart].

With [Groom’s Name], one of the moments that stands out is [insert a memorable story about the groom]. This story captures [Groom’s Name]’s [character trait, e.g., dedication, sense of fun, generosity].

And seeing them together, there’s another story that I’ll never forget: [share a memory involving both the bride and groom that showcases their relationship and love]. This moment showed me just how perfect they are for each other and how deeply they care for one another.

Words of Wisdom

As you both embark on this new journey together, I want to share a few pieces of advice that I’ve gathered over the years:

• Communication : Always communicate openly and honestly. It’s the cornerstone of a strong and healthy relationship.
• Support : Be each other’s biggest supporters. Celebrate each other’s victories and stand by each other during challenging times.
• Laughter : Keep laughter at the heart of your relationship. It’s essential for maintaining joy and resilience in your marriage.
• Love : Nurture your love with small, thoughtful gestures and never take each other for granted. Love is a living thing that grows and flourishes with care.

Now, if everyone could please raise their glasses.

Here’s to [Bride’s Name] and [Groom’s Name]. May your marriage be filled with endless love, joy, and laughter. May you continue to grow together, building a life rich with beautiful memories and happiness. Here’s to a lifetime of love, companionship, and incredible adventures.

Thank you, and congratulations to the newlyweds!

Text prompt

• Instructive
• Professional

10 Examples of Public speaking

20 Examples of Gas lighting

Undergraduate Commencement Address by Ken Burns

Descriptive transcript.

SCENE: Ken Burns, in a black academic robe with a white hood, speaks at a podium in front of a large blue banner with Brandeis University and the university logo. Also on the stage are other faculty members and distinguished guests wearing academic robes. KEN BURNS SPEAKING:

Brandeisian, love it.

President Liebowitz, Ron, Chair Lisa Kranc, and other members of the board of trustees, Provost Carol Fierke, fellow honorees, distinguished faculty and staff, proud and relieved parents, calm and serene grandparents, distracted but secretly pleased siblings, ladies and gentlemen, graduating students of the class of 2024, good morning.

I am deeply honored and privileged that you have asked me here to say a few words at such a momentous occasion that you might find what I have to say worthy of your attention on so important a day in all of your lives. Thank you for this honor.

Listen, I am in the business of history. It is not always a happy subject on college campuses these days, particularly when forces seem determined to eliminate or water down difficult parts of our past, particularly when the subject may seem to sum an anachronistic and irrelevant pursuit, and particularly with the ferocious urgency this moment seems to exert on us. It is my job, however, to remind people of the power our past also exerts, to help us better understand what's going on now with compelling story, memory, and anecdote. It is my job to try to discern patterns and themes from history to enable us to interpret our dizzying and sometimes dismaying present.

For nearly 50 years now, I have diligently practiced and rigorously tried to maintain a conscious neutrality in my work, avoiding advocacy if I could, trying to speak to all of my fellow citizens. Over those many decades I've come to understand a significant fact, that we are not condemned to repeat, as the saying goes, what we don't remember. That is a beautiful, even poetic phrase, but not true. Nor are there cycles of history as the academic community periodically promotes. The Old Testament, Ecclesiastes to be specific, got it right, I think. What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again. There is nothing new under the sun. What those lines suggest is that human nature never changes or almost never changes. We continually superimpose that complex and contradictory human nature over the seemingly random chaos of events, all of our inherent strengths and weaknesses, our greed and generosity, our puritanism and our prurience, our virtue, and our venality parade before our eyes, generation after generation after generation. This often gives us the impression that history repeats itself. It does not. "No event has ever happened twice, it just rhymes," Mark Twain is supposed to have said. I have spent all of my professional life on the lookout for those rhymes, drawn inexorably to that power of history. I am interested in listening to the many varied voices of a true, honest, complicated past that is unafraid of controversy and tragedy, but equally drawn to those stories and moments that suggest an abiding faith in the human spirit, and particularly the unique role this remarkable and sometimes also dysfunctional republic seems to play in the positive progress of mankind.

During the course of my work, I have become acquainted with hundreds if not thousands of those voices. They have inspired, haunted, and followed me over the years. Some of them may be helpful to you as you try to imagine and make sense of the trajectory of your lives today.

Listen, listen. In January of 1838, shortly before his 29th birthday, a tall, thin lawyer prone to bouts of debilitating depression addressed the young men's lyceum in Springfield, Illinois. "At what point shall we expect the approach of danger?" He asked his audience, "Shall we expect some trans-Atlantic military giant to step the earth and crush us at a blow?" Then he answered his own question. "Never. All the armies of Europe, Asia, and Africa could not by force take a drink from the Ohio River or make a track on the Blue Ridge in a trial of a thousand years. If destruction be our lot, we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of free men, we must live through all time or die by suicide." It is a stunning, remarkable statement, one that has animated my own understanding of the American experience since I first read it more than 40 years ago. That young man was of course Abraham Lincoln, and he would go on to preside over the closest this country has ever come to near national suicide, our civil war, and yet embedded in his extraordinary, disturbing, and prescient words is also a fundamental optimism that implicitly acknowledges the geographical forcefield two mighty oceans east and west and two relatively benign neighbors north and south have provided for us since the British burned the White House in the War of 1812 and inspired Francis Scott Key.

Lincoln's words that day suggest what is so great and so good about the people who happen to inhabit this lucky and exquisite country of ours. That's the world you now inherit: our work ethic and our restlessness, our innovation and our improvisation, our communities and our institutions of higher learning, our suspicion of power. The fact that we seem resolutely dedicated to parsing the meaning between individual and collective freedom; What I want versus what we need. That we are all so dedicated to understanding what Thomas Jefferson really meant when he wrote that mysterious phrase, "The pursuit of happiness". Hint, it happens right here in the lifelong learning and perpetual improvement this university is committed to.

But the isolation of those two oceans has also helped to incubate habits and patterns less beneficial to us: our devotion to money and guns and conspiracies, our certainty about everything, our stubborn insistence on our own exceptionalism blinding us to that which needs repair, especially with regard to race and ethnicity. Our preoccupation with always making the other wrong at an individual as well as a global level. I am reminded of what the journalist I.F. Stone once said to a young acolyte who was profoundly disappointed in his mentor's admiration for Thomas Jefferson. "It's because history is tragedy," Stone admonished him, "Not melodrama." It's the perfect response. In melodrama all villains are perfectly villainous and all heroes are perfectly virtuous, but life is not like that. You know that in your guts and nor is our history like that. The novelist, Richard Powers recently wrote that, "The best arguments in the world," — and ladies and gentlemen, that's all we do is argue — "the best arguments in the world," he said, "Won't change a single person's point of view. The only thing that can do that is a good story." I've been struggling for most of my life to do that, to try to tell good, complex, sometimes contradictory stories, appreciating nuance and subtlety and undertow, sharing the confusion and consternation of unreconciled opposites.

But it's clear as individuals and as a nation we are dialectically preoccupied. Everything is either right or wrong, red state or blue state, young or old, gay or straight, rich or poor, Palestinian or Israeli, my way or the highway. Everywhere we are trapped by these old, tired, binary reactions, assumptions, and certainties. For filmmakers and faculty, students and citizens, that preoccupation is imprisoning. Still, we know and we hear and we express only arguments, and by so doing, we forget the inconvenient complexities of history and of human nature. That, for example, three great religions, their believers, all children of Abraham, each professing at the heart of their teaching, a respect for all human life, each with a central connection to and legitimate claim to the same holy ground, violate their own dictates of conduct and make this perpetually contested land a shameful graveyard. God does not distinguish between the dead. "Could you?"

[Audience applauding]

"Could you?" A very wise person I know with years of experience with the Middle East recently challenged me, "Could you hold the idea that there could be two wrongs and two rights?"

Listen, listen. In a filmed interview I conducted with the writer James Baldwin, more than 40 years ago, he said, "No one was ever born who agreed to be a slave, who accepted it. That is, slavery is a condition imposed from without. Of course, the moment I say that," Baldwin continued, "I realize that multitudes and multitudes of people for various reasons of their own enslave themselves every hour of every day to this or that doctrine, this or that delusion of safety, this or that lie. Anti-Semites, for example," he went on, "are slaves to a delusion. People who hate Negroes are slaves. People who love money are slaves. We are living in a universe really of willing slaves, which makes the concept of liberty and the concept of freedom so dangerous," he finished. Baldwin is making a profoundly psychological and even spiritual statement, not just a political or racial or social one. He knew, just as Lincoln knew, that the enemy is often us. We continue to shackle ourselves with chains we mistakenly think is freedom.

Another voice, Mercy Otis Warren, a philosopher and historian during our revolution put it this way, "The study of the human character at once opens a beautiful and a deformed picture of the soul. We there find a noble principle implanted in the nature of people, but when the checks of conscience are thrown aside, humanity is obscured." I have had the privilege for nearly half a century of making films about the US, but I have also made films about us. That is to say the two letter, lowercase, plural pronoun. All of the intimacy of "us" and also "we" and "our" and all of the majesty, complexity, contradiction, and even controversy of the US. And if I have learned anything over those years, it's that there's only us. There is no them. And whenever someone suggests to you, whomever it may be in your life that there's a them, run away. Othering is the simplistic binary way to make and identify enemies, but it is also the surest way to your own self imprisonment, which brings me to a moment I've dreaded and forces me to suspend my longstanding attempt at neutrality.

There is no real choice this November. There is only the perpetuation, however flawed and feeble you might perceive it, of our fragile 249-year-old experiment or the entropy that will engulf and destroy us if we take the other route. When, as Mercy Otis Warren would say, "The checks of conscience are thrown aside and a deformed picture of the soul is revealed." The presumptive Republican nominee is the opioid of all opioids, an easy cure for what some believe is the solution to our myriad pains and problems. When in fact with him, you end up re-enslaved with an even bigger problem, a worse affliction and addiction, "a bigger delusion", James Baldwin would say, the author and finisher of our national existence, our national suicide as Mr. Lincoln prophesies. Do not be seduced by easy equalization. There is nothing equal about this equation. We are at an existential crossroads in our political and civic lives. This is a choice that could not be clearer.

Listen, listen. 33 years ago, the world lost a towering literary figure. The novelist and storyteller, not arguer, Isaac Bashevis Singer. For decades he wrote about God and myth and punishment, fate and sexuality, family and history. He wrote in Yiddish a marvelously expressive language, sad and happy all at the same time. Sometimes maddeningly all knowing, yet resigned to God's seemingly capricious will. It is also a language without a country, a dying language in a world more interested in the extermination or isolation of its long suffering speakers. Singer, writing in the pages of the Jewish Daily Forward help to keep Yiddish alive. Now our own wonderfully mongrel American language is punctuated with dozens of Yiddish words and phrases, parables and wise sayings, and so many of those words are perfect onomatopoeias of disgust and despair, hubris and humor. If you've ever met a schmuck, you know what I'm talking about. [audience laughs] Toward the end of his long and prolific life, Singer expressed wonder at why so many of his books written in this obscure and some said useless language would be so widely translated, something like 56 countries all around the world. "Why," he would wonder with his characteristic playfulness, "Why would the Japanese care about his simple stories of life in the shtetls of Eastern Europe 1,000 years ago?" "Unless," Singer paused, twinkle in his eye, "Unless the story spoke of the kinship of the soul." I think what Singer was talking about was that indefinable something that connects all of us together, that which we all share as part of organic life on this planet, the kinship of the soul. I love that.

Okay, let me speak directly to the graduating class. Watch out, here comes the advice. Listen. Be curious, not cool. Insecurity makes liars of us all. Remember, none of us get out of here alive. The inevitable vicissitudes of life, no matter how well gated our communities, will visit us all. Grief is a part of life, and if you explore its painful precincts, it will make you stronger. Do good things, help others. Leadership is humility and generosity squared. Remember the opposite of faith is not doubt. Doubt is central to faith. The opposite of faith is certainty. The kinship of the soul begins with your own at times withering self-examination. Try to change that unchangeable human nature of Ecclesiastes, but start with you. "Nothing so needs reforming," Mark Twain once chided us, "As other people's habits." [audience laughs]

Don't confuse success with excellence. Do not descend too deeply into specialism. Educate all of your parts, you will be healthier. Do not get stuck in one place. "Travel is fatal to prejudice," Twain also said. Be in nature, which is always perfect and where nothing is binary. Its sheer majesty may remind you of your own atomic insignificance, as one observer put it, but in the inscrutable and paradoxical ways of wild places, you will feel larger, inspirited, just as the egotist in our midst is diminished by his or her self regard.

At some point, make babies, one of the greatest things that will happen to you, I mean it, one of the greatest things that will happen to you is that you will have to worry, I mean really worry, about someone other than yourself. It is liberating and exhilarating, I promise. Ask your parents.

[Audience laughs]

Choose honor over hypocrisy, virtue over vulgarity, discipline over dissipation, character over cleverness, sacrifice over self-indulgence. Do not lose your enthusiasm, in its Greek etymology the word enthusiasm means simply, "god in us". Serve your country. Insist that we fight the right wars. Denounce oppression everywhere.

Convince your government, as Lincoln understood that the real threat always and still comes from within this favored land. Insist that we support science and the arts, especially the arts.

[Audience cheering]

They have nothing to do with the actual defense of our country; They just make our country worth defending.

Remember what Louis Brandeis said, "The most important political office is that of the private citizen." Vote. You indelibly... [audience applauding] Please, vote. You indelibly underscore your citizenship, and most important, our kinship with each other when you do. Good luck and godspeed.

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The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW Washington, DC 20500

Remarks by President   Biden and President William Ruto of the Republic of Kenya at State   Dinner

PRESIDENT BIDEN:  Well, welcome to the White House.  The White House never looked this good.  (Applause.)

There is a — a bright light in the White House tonight with our guests.  They have been impressive and — and accommodating.  And, you know, Jill and I are honored to have you here and — and representing, including many members of the African diaspora. 

One just left: Barack.  (Laughter.)  He’s been very gracious.  He met the President this morning, and he was just here a little while ago.

And what I’d like to do — President Ruto, we share a strong respect for the history that connects us together.  You know, as you know, President Carter was the first president to host leaders of Kenya at an official breakfast — I mean, excuse me, at a dinner. 

And in his own dinner toast, he said — your counterpart said that — he called the two nations “neighbors.”  And like neighbors — I got to get his quote exactly right.  And like neighbors, he said, not — do not share borders but share beliefs.  We share the belief in freedom, democracy, dignity, and equality.

And for ourselves and for everyone else, we want to share that with everyone here.  The fact is these are shared beliefs that give both our nations strength.

And let me end with a toast — an Irish toast, if you don’t mind an Irish toast.

May the road rise to meet you.  May the wind be always at your back.  May the sun shine warmly on your face, and may the rains fall softly on your fields.  Until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand. 

To Kenya.  To our guests.  Cheers. 

(President Biden offers a toast.)

Enjoy your dinner.

PRESIDENT RUTO:  Thank you.  Thank you very much, Mr. President.  I thank you, Mr. President, very sincerely for your invitation for me to undertake this state visit.  The welcome we have received, the hospitality of the American people have been exceptional.

The openness, goodwill, authenticity, and generosity of the American people greatly enhances our appreciation of your achievements and in keeping this nation as a thriving global powerhouse, and it magnifies our experience of the beauty and the greatness of this land.

We are proud of the robust social, economic, security, technological, and the people-to-people ties between our two nations and the shared values which form a very strong bond of friendship between us. 

We gather here on behalf of the people of our nations to further strengthen the friendship, solidarity, and mutual endeavor that have united us for many decades.  This partnership has kept us strong, effective, and dynamic in our pursuit of freedom, equality, and prosperity.

As we do so, we proudly take a firm stand, shoulder to shoulder, for democracy in a world where troubles have shaken the faith of many; for security as the engine for freedom and as guarantor for all aspirations of trust, enterprise, and innovation; and for prosperity as the ultimate good that our nations and our people so richly deserve.

I am encouraged by our achievements over the past 60 years, which have given people hope, saved lives, increased wealth and investment, and made the world more integrated and secure.

What we have accomplished during my visit is nothing short of phenomenal.  We can now face a complex and challenging future with greater confidence in the knowledge that our collective commitment to our shared values stand us in good stead and that as long as we hold our ground and stay the course, we will deliver to our people a world in which it is safe to dream, to work, and to prosper.

Madam First Lady, you have been so kind.  We have shared your home for days and have been treated with touching and manifest generosity.  This is a warm, wonderful, beautiful place, and we are blessed to have been privileged to visit.

It is now my honor to ask you, ladies and gentlemen, to raise your glasses and join me in a toast to the continued well-being and long life of President Joe Biden and of First Lady Jill, to the continued security and prosperity of the people of the United States, and to the enduring bonds of friendship, partnership, and solidarity between Kenya and the United States. 

To the President.

(President Ruto offers a toast.)

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Donald Trump asked Libertarian voters for their support. He was booed at their convention.

WASHINGTON – Former President Donald Trump spent his weekend proposing "a partnership" with the Libertarian Party, but early indications suggest it won't be a close friendship.

Libertarians attending their convention in Washington booed and hooted at Trump, even as he pledged to pursue policies limiting the federal government and argued that supporting third parties could undermine common efforts to unseat President Joe Biden .

"Combine with us - you have to combine with us," Trump said at one point, drawing objections from many of the 1,500 Libertarians gathered in a hotel ballroom in the nation's capital.

'Maybe you don't want to win'

As friction built, Trump during his speech taunted the party about its low totals and said they only way they can accomplish anything is by supporting him.

Prep for the polls: See who is running for president and compare where they stand on key issues in our Voter Guide

"Only if you want to win," Trump said at one point, as large segments of the crowd booed. "Maybe you don't want to win."

Four years ago, Libertarian presidential nominee Jo Jorgensen took only 1.2% of the vote against Trump and Biden. But even that small a percentage could make the difference in closely contested battleground states that are likely to determine the outcome of the 2024 race for the White House. That's why Trump is seeking support from the party as the campaign heats up.

But the former president, who sometimes speaks more than 90 minutes at his political rallies, wrapped up his remarks before the Libertarian conference in 35 minutes as he received criticism from the crowd.

Some speakers at the Libertarian convention urged delegates to be respectful of Trump, although most took shots at the former president.

"We have a lot to teach Donald Trump," Michael Rectenwald, who is seeking the Libertarian Party presidential nomination. "We don't know if he has any capacity to learn."

Donald Trump promises pardons

But how did Trump try to court these third-party voters? In seeking support, Trump pledged to appoint a Libertarian Party member to his next Cabinet, and name other Libertarians to high government posts.

He also promised to commute the lifetime prison sentence of entrepreneur Ross Ulbricht . He created the website Silk Road, which facilitated sales of narcotics and other substances that Libertarians believe shouldn't be illegal in the first place.

Trump also played to the crowd by again pledging to pardon defendants involved in the insurrection of Jan. 6, 2021 .

However, delegates at the convention, many of whom waved blue signs saying "Free Ross," noted that Trump said nothing about pardons for two others: Wikileaks founder Julian Assange and classified information leaker Edward Snowden .

Not committed enough?

Trump's raucous speech capped a noisy weekend in which Libertarian Party conventioneers repeatedly expressed disdain for the ex-president.

Still, the presumptive nominee asked the Libertarians for their endorsement, a "partnership," or at least "a lot of your votes."

Libertarian Party members later indicated that they will stick with their own nominee, who is scheduled to be selected on Sunday.

Many voters at the convention told USA TODAY Trump's promises simply didn't win them over. Some pointed out that while Trump pledged to restrict government, he did not respond to long-time Libertarian calls for outright elimination of the Federal Reserve, foreign aid and the income tax.

"He has some libertarian leanings," said Charlie Larkin, 48, a self-employed worker from Aphol, Massachusetts. "But I don't feel he's committed enough to the ideals of liberty."

Before and after his speech, libertarians also criticized Trump on issues ranging from tariffs to his indictments in four major criminal cases.

Some delegates said they were offended when Trump – who claimed without evidence that prosecutors are politically motivated – said he should be something of an honorary Libertarian because of his indictments.

The former president spoke ahead of a week that may see the end of his hush money trial in New York City . Prosecutors and defense attorneys are expected to make final arguments on Tuesday, and the jury could decide the case later in the week.

But Trump's effort to tie his criminal charges to Libertarians' treatment of the federal government didn't necessarily curry favor with convention attendees over the weekend.

Tension in the hall

The tensions surrounding Trump's speech were even apparent beforehand.

On Friday night, a Libertarian delegate made a formal motion insulting the former president. Members of the crowd cheered, though the resolution wasn't allowed.

Delegates also booed businessman Vivek Ramaswamy as he tried to defend Trump. But the strife didn't end there.

Hours before Trump's speech, groups of his Republican supporters from the Washington area showed up and took some of close-in seats that had been reserved for libertarian delegates,

Angela McArdle, the newly reelected chair of the Libertarian Party, asked the Trump supporters to move farther back and give the delegates their chairs; she also urged the factions to exhibit "camaraderie," and said "we should focus on our areas of agreement."

But at times, the Trump people and the libertarians engaged in dueling chants.

Libertarians and Trump

The party's website says that "libertarians strongly oppose any government interference into their personal, family, and business decisions. Essentially, we believe all Americans should be free to live their lives and pursue their interests as they see fit as long as they do no harm to another."

Outside the convention ballroom, vendors hawked posters, books and knick-knacks extolling various libertarian causes, from attacks on COVID vaccines to free trade to eliminating the Federal Reserve. Libertarian voters also told USA TODAY they oppose many of Trump's policies, including tariffs on foreign imports, increased spending and his previous comments about to using power to investigate opponents.

In his speech, Trump said their common desire to defeat Biden should outweigh their differences. "The fact is we should not be fighting each other," Trump said.

Amanda Gibbs, 40, a Libertarian Party member from the Houston area, said she is a former Republican who could not abide his "government overreach" and "how he treated women," among other issues.

"He is what drove me out of the GOP," she said. "That's how I found the Libertarian Party."

Taylor Swift's Friends Pick Their Favorite 'TTPD' Songs

Taylor Swift ‘s The Tortured Poets Department is one of the most talked about albums of 2024 – and not just amongst her fans.

Celebrities and friends like Lana Del Rey , Sophie Turner and more have been outspoken about their love for Swift's 11th studio album, which she announced during her acceptance speech for Best Pop Vocal Record at the 66th annual Grammy Awards in February 2024.

"[The way I can celebrate] is by telling you a secret that I've been keeping from you for the past two years, which is that my brand new album comes out April 19th," she told the crowd. "It's called The Tortured Poets Department and I'm going to go post the cover right now backstage."

After posting the black-and-white artwork for the album, which showed Swift lying across a bed in black lingerie, the 14-time Grammy winner wrote via Instagram, "And so I enter into evidence my tarnished coat of arms."

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She added, "My muses acquired like bruises, my talismans and charms. The tick, tick, tick of love bombs. My view of pitch-black ink. All's fair in love and poetry … Sincerely, The Chairman of the Tortured Poets Department."

After the album was released in April 2024, Swift surprised fans hours later by releasing 15 more songs.

"It's a 2 am surprise: The Tortured Poets Department is a secret DOUBLE album," she wrote via social media . "I'd written so much tortured poetry in the past 2 years and wanted to share it all with you, so here's the second installment of TTPD: The Anthology . 15 extra songs. And now the story isn't mine anymore … it's all yours."

Keep reading to see which TTPD songs Swift's friends are loving the most.

Reese Witherspoon

Witherspoon named her top three songs off Swift's 11th studio album shortly after its release, revealing via her Instagram Story that her favorites were "So Long, London," "Guilty as Sin?" and "I Can Do It With a Broken Heart."

Taylor Swift Through the Years

Keleigh Teller

Teller, who is one of Swift's closest friends, posted a video via TikTok in April 2024 in which she was listening to "So Long, London," adding in the caption, "I founded the club she's heard [great] things about. What's everyone's favorite song and why?"

After a fan commented, "‘I Can Do It With a Broken Heart,'" Teller replied , "As a friend, this one hurts so much. She goes on stage sad or happy. It's so incredible."

Lana Del Rey

While speaking to Entertainment Tonight at the Met Gala in May 2024, the "Summertime Sadness" singer told the outlet that her favorite track is "Who's Afraid of Little Old Me?"

"It's beautiful," she added.

Sophie Turner

Turner – who crashed at Swift's Tribeca home after her separation from Joe Jonas following four years of marriage – posted a screenshot of her favorite jam, "Who's Afraid of Little Old Me?" via her Instagram Story.

(Swift and Jonas briefly dated for about three months in 2008, but he famously broke up with her in a 27-second phone call.)

Jack Antonoff

Antonoff, who along with The National frontman Aaron Dessner produced and cowrote TTPD , said via Instagram that his top moment from working on the album was "the day we made ‘Down Bad.'"

Everything to Know About 'The Tortured Poets Department'

He added, "My favorite work we have made together / made in the most wild unhinged moment. All the pain distilled in this album and all the laughter that came out of it. Will hold those days in the studio forever as the most inspiring of my life. I adore this album and the way it came together. TTPD FOREVER."

Maya Hawke and Ethan Hawke

Maya, a longtime Swiftie who turned dad Ethan into a fan, revealed two of her favorite songs via her Instagram Story : "I Can Do It With a Broken Heart" and "But Daddy I Love Him," the latter of which she captioned, "What the heck this is sooo good."

Though Ethan has yet to reveal a favorite track, he appeared in the music video for the album's first single, "Fortnight (ft. Post Malone )," alongside his Dead Poets Society costar and lifelong friend Josh Charles .

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"We got this call: ‘Taylor's releasing an album, The Tortured Poets Department . And I think she wanted to hide a little easter egg about Dead Poets Society in it," Ethan said during a May 2024 appearance on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert .

He added, "For Josh and I, we laughed ourselves silly the whole day. We felt like the biggest rock stars in the world."

After being asked what her favorite TTPD song is while posing at the 2024 Met Gala, Hadid simply replied, "‘Down Bad.'"

Hayley Williams

The Paramore frontwoman – who has been friends with Swift since their early days in the Nashville music scene – praised the second part of the double album via Instagram after its release. (Paramore joined Swift for a brief stint on her Eras Tour in 2023 and will join her on the European leg of her tour from May to August 2024.)

" The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology . Had me from the storytelling alone, my friend," Williams wrote. "Every one of us knows this kind of grief! It's so impressive to me how specific and colorful Taylor's words get without ever losing the universal thread. I'm so ready to be tour-mates."

Selena Gomez

During her May 2024 appearance at the Cannes Film Festival, Gomez told fans that "I Can Do It With a Broken Heart" is her favorite TTPD track.

Speech on Relationship

Relationships are like invisible threads that connect people. They can be with family, friends, or even someone special.

Understanding relationships can be tricky, but it’s part of life. It can be fun, challenging, and rewarding to navigate these bonds.

1-minute Speech on Relationship

Good day, everyone. Today, we talk about something that touches each of our lives – relationships. Relationships are like bridges. They connect us to other people, our family, our friends, and even strangers. They help us understand each other and make our lives beautiful.

First, let’s talk about family. Family relationships are like the roots of a tree. They keep us grounded and give us strength. Our parents, siblings, and other family members love us, guide us, and teach us valuable lessons. Remember, a tree with strong roots can weather any storm!

Next, we have friendships. Friends are like stars that light up our lives. They are there in good times, making us laugh and enjoy life. In tough times, they help us, comfort us, and give us courage. A sky full of shining stars is indeed a beautiful sight!

Then, we have relationships with people we don’t know well. These are like seeds. We may meet someone just once, but that meeting can plant a seed of kindness, respect, or understanding. Over time, these seeds can grow into strong trees of friendship and love.

In all these relationships, trust is the key. It is like the sunlight that helps everything grow. Without trust, relationships cannot survive. So, always be honest, and keep your promises.

In conclusion, relationships are the essence of our lives. They give us love, happiness, strength, and so much more. So, let’s cherish our relationships, nurture them with care, and watch them grow beautifully. After all, we are all part of the same big garden of life! Thank you.

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2-minute Speech on Relationship

Friends, today we’ll talk about something that touches every part of our lives – relationships. Relationships aren’t just about the bonds we have with our family, friends, or partners. They’re also about how we connect with ourselves, with nature, and with the world around us.

In our lives, relationships play a big part. They are like roads we walk on. Some roads are smooth and easy, while others are rocky and tough. But all these roads lead us somewhere. They teach us lessons. They make us who we are.

Our first teachers are our parents and family. They guide us, like a lamp in the dark. They hold our hand when we stumble. They teach us to walk, to run, to fly. Our family is our first school and our parents are our first teachers. They show us right from wrong, and help us grow into strong, caring people.

Friends, too, are a big part of our lives. They are like mirrors that show us who we really are. Good friends stand by us, in happy times and sad. They laugh with us, they cry with us. They teach us about trust, about sharing, about caring.

But not all relationships are easy. Sometimes, we fight. Sometimes, we hurt each other. This can make us feel sad, angry, or scared. But remember, it’s okay to make mistakes. What’s important is to learn from these mistakes, to say sorry, to forgive. This helps us grow, makes us better.

Now, let’s talk about a very important relationship – the one we have with ourselves. It’s like a seed we need to water every day. We need to love ourselves, to take care of our body, our mind. We need to be patient with ourselves, to forgive ourselves when we make mistakes. Only then can we love others, care for others, forgive others.

Finally, our relationship with nature and the world around us is also important. We must care for the trees, the birds, the rivers. They give us food, clean air, water. They make our world beautiful. We must protect them, for ourselves, and for the generations to come.

So, friends, let’s promise today to nurture our relationships, with others and with ourselves. Let’s promise to be kind, to be patient, to be forgiving. Because relationships aren’t just about being together, they’re about growing together. And remember, a good relationship is like a tree. It may take time to grow, but once it does, it gives us shade, fruit, and a strong trunk to lean on.

In the end, relationships are the colors that paint our life’s canvas. They make our life beautiful, meaningful. So let’s cherish them, nurture them, and make them stronger. Because together, we are stronger. Together, we are better.

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We also have speeches on more interesting topics that you may want to explore.

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