Friends! They may come in different ages, sizes, shapes, colors, genders and political preferences, but still, they are friends. Some we may see daily, weekly, monthly and some we may only see yearly. Some come from a strong economic background, and others may not. Some have college degrees, and some may not. Still, a friend is a friend regardless of finances or educational background. Should we just stop and just count our blessings if we have friends? People say that you can count your true friends on one hand, but we find that hard to believe! I know I have one, and most men can say the same about their wives, but I certainly hope there are more.

Some friends we see daily. They could be our neighbors and with daylight savings time, we have a chance to see them more often and might even cook and have an occasional meal together. We all have lived in the same neighborhood and watched their children grow and then graduate, and later marry, and yes, you were at those events. They were there for your children during the same occasions.

Then there are friends we make at work, and you see them daily. These are friends we share many of our personal life’s triumphs and defeats with. These can develop into lifelong friends and ones we enjoy being around outside of our work in a social setting.

Some friendships will stand the test of time! Even when our intentions are good and we want to visit, we cannot. Many times, we resort to a phone call. They will always remain our closest friends as we share our life experiences with them and confide our deepest thoughts with.

We all have found that friendship, whatever type you may have, can never be bought. Rather, it must be earned. Is that not the best type of friend? Someone who has earned the right to trust and be trusted. We have heard that if a person cannot be a friend, then he/she will never have a friend.

This is Washington’s forte! Our friends are some of our merchants, and they have deservedly earned the right to our friendship. We can show this by giving them the first opportunity when we shop. They are in our Harbor District working to make a living, and we all need to give them the first opportunity when we shop. They are our neighbors, classmates and go to the same church with us. They raised their children in our public schools, played on the same ball team and graduated with our children. Does this not make them worthy of our business? Let us all make a pledge that we will start our shopping in downtown Washington and be a friend to a friend. Shop local!

And you know the closing — always shop, dine and play in Washington, N.C., and if you are not too tired, take a walk with the H-Rob! Love ya!

Harold Robinson is the director of development at the Washington Harbor District Alliance.