By Dale Avery

What is a true friend?

Over the course of my lifetime I have always said I have very few true friends. People ask what I mean by that statement – I tell them I have many associates or people I know, but only very few true friends. To illustrate my explanation to others I decided to do some homeworkand reflect on what a true friend looks like. Here is what I decided:

• True friends are always there for you.
• True friends will try to include you in everything.
• True friends won’t lie to you.
• If the person is a true friend, he won’t get jealous if you are with someone else.
• A true friend accepts you for who you are.
• True friends always have your back. They protect you in tough situations and are always therefor you to lean on.
• True friends always put themselves in your shoes and try to understand what the situation is.
• True friends always help with problemssearch for solutions.
• True friends won’t talk behind your back, but rather say it to your face.
• True friends are honest, and would never lie about something that is wrong.
• True friends don’t forget to include or invite you to events orbrag about things they did without you in your presence.
• A true friend respects you.
• A true friend doesn’t envy your life or what you have but is instead happy for what comes your way.
• A true friend loves you, and is always there when you need them.

Two of my true friends live in different parts of the country. One lives a few hours away and I get to see him a couple of times a year. I had the opportunity to spend time with another true friend a few months back. It was the first time we had seen each other in about six years. In both cases we always pick up right where we left off. It always amazes me how close we are while others I see every day feel less close? It is because these men have been to meal of the items listed above. And I have done my best to do the same for them. We have stood next to each other through good times and bad. Take the time over this holiday season to assess the relationships in your life, put energy into the ones that are true, and do what you can to be a true friend to others. Friendship can truly be priceless and withstand the test of distance and time.

Dale Avery, CPCU, is the assistant vice president – Enterprise Services at State Farm® Corporate Headquarters in Bloomington, Ill.

Avery began his career with State Farm in 1982 as a personal lines underwriter in Lincoln, Nebraska and assumed his current position in 2006. Avery, a native of Missouri, received his bachelor’s degree from Central Missouri State University. He earned his CPCU in 1991.

Dale resides in Bloomington with his wife, Laura and their two daughters; Megan and Jenna.

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