Friends become family and it’s hard to imagine life without the people you share some of the most cherished memories with.

There are many characteristics that set close friends apart from the rest. To help identify the them, Bustle asked experts to weigh in on the essential qualities of a good friend.

Variations within and between diverse cultural groups, specifically regarding the qualities or behaviors identified as characteristics of the closest friends, have been overlooked.

Friendship experts break down the seven core elements of a healthy friendship, which apply in as relationships ebb and flow throughout life.

This year, India is celebrating Friendship Day on August 7. It's celebrated to cherish and honour the relationship of love, trust, and respect we have with our friends.

You can learn a lot from your childhood friendships. Being a kid at heart can improve your marriage down the road.

Let’s see some of the qualities a successful friendship needs to have: Trust This is one of the major foundations of good friendships. How well can you keep private information about your friends?