I'm taking a cue from one of my favorite bloggers and doing a list today. And seriously, if you haven't read SCL or pre-ordered the book, I would encourage you to do that as soon as possible. The blog is hilarious and brilliant and I have no doubt that the book will be as well.

Anyway, as anyone who reads my blog with any regularity knows, one of my big "things" is relationships and friendships. I've always been a friend person, but the past year, what with my bff moving away has once again shown me just how important people are to me, and how much I need them in my life. On Saturday night, a friend and I were trying to set up plans for us & our spouses to hang out and we were both lamenting our pititful "will you be my friend" status and it felt like a hugely awkward moment in trying to express that I really do appreciate his friendship.

So I got to thinking, how do you tell the other people that without sounding like a Bette Milder movie? Some thoughts:

1. Go ahead and sound like a Bette Midler movie. People everywhere are dying to know that they're the wind beneath your wings. You sing the chorus to that song and all will know that you are serious about what this friendship means. And also, that they might be dying.

2. Put on a beat-up, backwards cap, an old poncho, grab your guitar and sing some Garth Brooks. You should win a million dollars. With that cash, you can rent a sky-writer to tell whoever what their friendship means to you.

3. Play it cool. Make sure that they know how lucky THEY are to have YOU. Pull the old switcheroo.

4. Hallmark. Seriously, those tall tri-fold cards say it all.

5. Go up to them, give them a hug and tell them that you're glad you're friends.

Really, whatever you do, be sure to let them know. People need to know that they're important to you. It might feel a little goofy or weird, but do it. If you can't feel goofy and weird with your friends, who else are you going to feel goofy and weird with?