It is rightly remarked, "In the times of prosperity friends are plenty, in the times of adversity not even one in twenty", sad but true. A longtime friend is rare and hard to come by. People who have a longtime friend should probably consider themselves lucky. Life seems so easy when you have a longtime friend to take care of you.
A longtime friend is one who selflessly stands by us in the times of need. Their friendship is one to be valued and savored as it stands the test of time. Nothing is perfect and likewise our relation with even our best of friends does go through ups and downs. However, a longtime friend, in the true sense of the word, will probably be the last one to turn his back on us. No matter how strained the friendship is, a longtime friend, will always be willing to let bygones be bygones and start afresh.