Do you have a best friend? Perhaps you have a long-time childhood friend your your buddies from high school to lean on or maybe your college roommates are all really close, but you'll never have a friend like Samwise Gamgee. The cornerstone of epic friendships, Sam started out his journey through Middle Earth alongside his employer, Frodo Baggins. Originally, they weren't that close—Mr. Gamgee was just the guy that came by and trimmed the bushes, preened the lawn, and managed various potato farming matters—so they had no history between them. But through their fellowship to destroy literal evil, they forged a bond far stronger than Elvish steel and as unyielding as a vengeful Balrog.
Sam and Frodo trauma-bonded their way into an undeniably strong friendship.
Of course, I'm not saying that's anything against your friendships, but I've certainly used LOTR bonds and fellowships as a gauge—no, a goal—of the type of friendships I'll seek. No more acquaintances, no more happy-hour-only friendships. I want that real deal, walk to Mordor type of friendship that's tougher than cast iron pans and can withstand even the hottest lava flows of Mount Doom.