Written by Tiane Davis
Anyone who owns an iPhone knows they can pin up to nine people in their text conversations. Their mom, dad, best friend or therapist might be included in that list. Or maybe they never took the time to pin anyone’s name at the top. Or maybe they just don’t text people very often.
I have requirements for the nine people I choose, and I will try my best to spell them out.
I pinned you in my text conversations because I text you so often that it became a pain to not have you saved permanently at the top. Maybe you’re in all of my classes. Maybe you’re my brother. Maybe you’re one of my best friends in the whole world. Maybe I have a crush on you. Regardless, I probably love you in some big or little way.
My Top Nine Friend Council was never just an emergency contact list. You are the people who — whether we expected it or not — are some of the first I text when I wake up.
Some days, I’ll wake up with a song in my head, and it reminds me of you. I’ll reach the middle of my day feeling sad and know you’ll say the right thing — even if it’s just a reminder to drink some water. I witnessed a funny interaction and had to tell you about it in our sweet, “appreciate-the-little-things” way. I catch myself feeling hopeless and have to tell you that I am scared.
“I ate three meals today!” I tell you proudly — because sometimes I remember to do so all on my own. We both want the absolute best for each other. We love each other with no reserve. Or it’s possible we just work together.
I probably miss you a tiny bit every day. Not always in an achy way; I just think about you by default. We might live together, and I’ll still miss you while I am in class. I bet I could find your name on my phone with my eyes closed.
“QUICK! I need help deciding if I should get these pants!!” I message you with a missed FaceTime call right after.
20 minutes later, “Ehhh, those are a little iffy,” you say.
I just sent you a picture of me holding a bouquet I picked.
“Oh, Tiane, it’s lovely!!” you say. I can hear your kind voice in the words.
I send you all of my “One year ago, today” photos and share my “Things that make me happy” list with you.
If you take a long time to respond, I never worry about our friendship. I worry for your safety.
Motivational speaker Jim Rohn once said we are the average of the five people we spend the most time with. I just described the nine people I spend most of my time with; what are your nine like? Do they offer support in your day-to-day life? Do they make your life easier? To nine of my favorite people: You bring joy to my world, and I love you. If I could be half as good as you, I would live a happy life.
