Friendship is one of life’s simplest pleasures. While it’s easy to take friendships for granted, the variety of people in your corner often defines how balanced, supported, and joyful your life feels.

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Dr. Tracy Brower writes about joy, community and the future of work. In the process of making friends and maintaining friendships, ...

I have been dating my boyfriend for almost eight years. We were high school sweethearts, and we are each other’s first everything, so we’ve only been with each other. I’ve had a guy friend for about ...