Have you ever had an one of those moments where the cheesiest, most obvious thought pops into your head, and you really feel like you’re starring in your own movie? I like to call them Lifetime Movie Moments. Because sometimes you’re just sitting there and it hits you, and the music should swell, and then the camera should fade to black and roll credits. You ever get that?

I had one of these moments last week, as I was sitting at dinner with 5 of my closest friends. I looked around at my friends and realized how much I love all of them, and how lucky I am to have them. And not just them, but the friends I have that weren’t with us that night. Cheesy? Yeah, maybe. True? Absolutely. Each one of them is special in their own way.

I have a friend I have known since junior high, that I don’t speak with often enough,  but I know she’s just a phone call away whenever I need her.

I have a friend with whom I share a brain, even though she lives several states away. When I was laid off, she was my first phone call. Her anger on my behalf was enough to snap me back into reality and help me focus on figuring out the next step.

I have a friend who makes giant poster thank you cards, for simple things like being the designated driver. I can text her a basic question, and end up dumping a whole bunch of my crazy irrationality on her, and she thinks nothing of it.

I have a friend who can be heard for miles. Giving him a high five will bruise your hand for a week. But he’s one of the most fun, honest and caring guys I’ve ever known. (Also, he loves his wife more than any man I’ve ever met, which is awesome in and of itself).

I have a friend who I’ve never met in person, but who will send me a box of books that she thinks I’ll like, simply because she feels like it.

I have a friend who convinced me to drive 35 miles away (almost 2 hours with traffic!) to bowl with her. She’s the one who eventually introduced me to Donald, and for that I can never thank her enough.

I have friends who moved to Arizona a few years ago, and who I miss terribly. They always have a place for me to stay any time I want to come visit.

I have friends who are the parents of Donald’s nieces and nephews. I am so lucky that I actually like all 4 of them, not only because they’re his family, but because they’re just really great people.

I have friends both online and in person, in California, and scattered across the globe. I have friends I see once a year and that I see once a week. Every single one of them means a lot to me. I just thought they should know.