Rachel and Hanan Talk Friendship

This time around I asked Hanan about friendship.

What makes a good friend?

For Hanan, the most important thing was trust. She said that close friendships don't just happen, but that they are built gradually on mutual care and similar interests. A true friend gives you advice, supports you emotionally, and will help you in any situation.
As well, she said a true friendship is one that is able to pick up right where it left off. She said she goes long periods of time without being able to talk to her best friends, but when she is able to, it feels like nothing has changed at all.

I feel similarly about my friendships. My best friend is someone I can be completely myself with, which I guess is due to a great level of trust. It's a relationship that doesn't waver with time. When my best friend comes home from Santa Fe, it's like she was never gone.

Of course I had to ask about humor, but Hanan said it was not necessary for a friendship. She said you can enjoy some one's company and be close to them without having to joke. It really just comes down to personality.
I agree to a certain extent, but I can't imagine my best friendships without the amazing amount of laughter we share. I value my friendships for their seriousness as well as their lightheartedness. I think Hanan's point about trust is pivotal though, because friends are the people we let out guard down to. We share with them our joys as well as our sorrows, and sometimes that takes quite a bit of bravery.

Very close to the end of out conversation, Ryan (Hanan's husband) showed up and Hanan said, "Here's my best friend." Getting to see them talk about friendship together really revealed their own balanced relationship. They once again agreed honesty (an extension of trust) was the most important, and that a true friendship was one with no emotional blocks. I'm sure that's even more true concerning marriage. They agreed humor came second, which I think is interesting in comparison to most American relationships. In my experience, humor can almost be a prerequisite in forming what we consider a solid relationship. I guess I'm going to try something different and as you a question. What do you feel is the role of humor in relationships?

p.s. This muh best frand. Skip my other question and tell me about yours if you want!