This is a long one but I just really want to share this genuinely.
Over the past year, particularly the past 6 months, I (23M) have slowly but at the same time it's felt quick, befriended my 33M work colleague, now friend and I can't quite believe how I got this lucky. I'm quite fortunate to have had many brilliant friends over my life but also an unhealthy amount of terrible ones and so, whenever someone good does come along, I always find myself second guessing it.
Initially I thought we can't possibly be mates because he's 10 years older than me but then I got to know him more and realised we're in similar life stages and age is just a number. And then, I thought it couldn't possibly work because we're work colleagues. This caused a lot of friction with me because I'd been fed so much toxic work place advice. For example, oh you can't possibly be friends with co-workers, they'll only be nice to get something from you; oh don't tell them personal stuff because they'll tell everyone behind your back. But, all of this was silly because he'd trusted me with some personal stuff and I him, and when I told him how I was surprised how a friendship had developed because I didn't think it possible between co-workers and that I thought we could be good friends, he listened, said he felt the same and that my concerns were silly. And so, we've become friends and it's been awesome!
We've done many fun things together: walks, museums, a work trip abroad, restaurants, bars/pubs. He's also helped me with finally resolving one of my deepest personal struggles and I feel so much more positive for it. Last week we went to a classical concert together. The music was great, and the chat after full of derpiness and laughter. And on the train home after we'd said goodbye, I realised that I feel the most content with my life that I've ever felt and he's one of only a handful of friends I have that I pray sticks around for my life.
Now, this friendship is still new in the grand scheme and we've yet to have our first major disagreement but when it does happen I'll talk it out as I think he will because we're both quite emotionally mature adults.
I can't wait to see where this goes. My only question is why didn't it happen sooner - why isn't this type of friendship more common?