Big Friendship

01True friends help each other grow

Aminatou Sow and Ann Friedman have a unique take on friendship. They believe it's not just about hanging out and having a good time, but about helping each other grow and evolve. It's like having a personal cheerleader who's also your coach, pushing you to be the best version of yourself. Let's take a look at their own friendship. Sow is from Africa and Friedman is from Europe. They couldn't be more different, right? But they didn't let their differences get in the way. Instead, they embraced them, learning from each other's unique experiences and perspectives. In their book, they share their own stories, giving us a peek into the ups and downs of their friendship. They talk about the inevitable bumps in the road, the misunderstandings and disagreements that pop up in any close relationship. But they don't see these as bad things. Instead, they see them as chances to learn and grow. For example, they might have had some cultural misunderstandings because of their different backgrounds. But instead of letting these create a rift, they used them as learning opportunities. They taught each other about their cultures, broadening their own understanding of the world. They also talk about the importance of sacrifice in a friendship. This could mean putting in time and effort, even when it's not convenient, or putting your friend's needs before your own sometimes. They believe these sacrifices aren't burdens, but investments that make the friendship stronger and help you grow as a person. And they're okay with the fact that not all friendships last forever. People change, and so do relationships. If a friendship ends, it doesn't mean it was a failure. It just means it served its purpose for that time in your life. The growth and learning that happened during the friendship still matter, and they still contribute to who you are as a person. So, according to Sow and Friedman, a "Big Friendship" is more than just a fun relationship. It's a friendship that challenges you, enriches you, and helps you grow. It's a friendship that transforms you.