"Friendship isn't about who you've known the longest, it's about who came and never left your side." -unknown

What is the definition of a true friendship? Some would say that it's two people who share common interests, or spend a great amount of time together. Some would say that it's two people who will support each other no matter what. There are many different types of friendships. The friendship between Steve Lopez and Nathaniel Ayers is probably one of the most unique ever written about. Although they were not on the same level in many ways, they still managed to form a special bond and mutual care for each other.

Since this friendship was so far from ordinary, its authenticity was naturally questioned. There were many who believed that Lopez was simply using Ayers because his story became so popular. When a man came to him with these accusations, Lopez became very defensive, saying "it's none of your business," over and over. His actions made it seem as if the accusations were true, and probably caused more speculation.

Despite the reasons that may cause one to think Lopez was exploiting Nathaniel, his true loyalty shone through in the end. He stood by him throughout his slow but steady steps to recovery. He believed in Nathaniel even when it seemed as if there was nothing to believe in. When Nathaniel lashed out at him, Lopez not only forgave him, but continued to befriend him. He was able to understand that Nathaniel's seemingly hateful outburst was caused by his illness, not because he truly meant the words that he said. These are the qualities of a dedicated friend. A genuine friend is able to see beyond the surface and discover the real reason for the other person's actions. A real friend not only accepts your flaws, but understands them.