I believe that laughter is the most precise common denominator between me and those I love. In my life, laughter has been the factor that has “broken the ice” when starting new and exciting relationships, has released tension during awkward moments, and has simply enhanced my everyday experiences to a whole new level with my family and friends. When I am laughing with a close friend, I feel connected to that person in a way that no other means, such as crying or smiling, can bring about. When laughing with my friends, truly, deeply laughing, a nonverbal but very evident bonding is growing deeper between us. Laughing with my friends and family is the only way I’ve found of completely letting loose all worries and feeling completely comfortable with the other party.
One day about three years ago in order to lighten the stressful atmosphere of our busy schedules, my best friend Katie made up an imaginary friend named “Amanda.” Amanda is the strangest, funniest, yet most real imaginary friend I’ve ever encountered. She is indeed the “strange” side of Katie and every time Katie brings her up, I crack up. Ever since that blessed day when Amanda was “born,” she has been the third wheel in mine and Katie’s relationship. Every time we are hanging out, talking on the phone, or corresponding via the internet, one of us brings up Amanda and her crazy schemes, checking up on our dear imaginary friend. Doing this connects Katie and me in a certain way that makes our relationship so unique: very strange and childish, but since we both know that we are joking (yet act so serious), we are able to laugh so incredibly hard and freely.
There is a quote by W.H. Auden that says, “In those whom I like, I can find no common denominator; in those whom I love I can: they all make me laugh.” This quote, to me, means so much since me and my friends’ personalities are rooted in humor. Acquaintances never have the deep connection and comfortableness with one another to be able to truly let loose. Laughter for me is the closest connection between me and those I love.