Thanks to my outgoing nature, I’ve had no trouble making and maintaining friendships since my early childhood. 

Friends have been important companions to me from a young age.

I’m still in touch with some of them today; others I remember fondly, and I hope they’ve found their own paths and found happiness in life.
 
For me, friendships have always been important and a crucial part of my life.

The older I get, the more I realise, year after year, just how precious friendships are, and that they should never be taken for granted.

I have made many friends and lost them again – that’s just the way life goes. Many get on board and then get off again – only very few remain by your side until the end of your journey.

Some losses have been painful and accompanied by disappointment. Nevertheless, I have never stopped believing in people and friendships. I still believe that people are more decent and better than they are made out to be.

At this point, I’d like to single out a few friends in particular, because they’re still there for me today, because they’ve brought out something very special in me, or because I’m especially grateful to them. This in no way means that other companions along the way weren’t or aren’t important to me. Everyone has their own special place in my heart.