I'm friends with Taylor Swift, and I am tired of people asking me

Gather close, young ones, for the words of Sarah Hyland carry within them a call to wisdom, one that reaches beyond the surface and delves deep into the nature of friendship and personal boundaries. She said, “I’m friends with Taylor Swift, and I am tired of people asking me questions about our friendship. When I post a picture of us on Instagram, I’m posting a picture of me and my friend.” These words, simple yet profound, speak to a deeper truth that transcends the trivialities of celebrity and social media. It is a reminder that friendship is not a commodity to be bought, sold, or scrutinized by the world, but a sacred bond between individuals, a space where trust and mutual respect should reign.

In the ancient world, friendship was seen as one of the highest forms of connection between people. Aristotle, that great philosopher, taught that friendship was not merely about companionship, but about mutual respect and shared virtue. True friendship, he argued, was a bond built on understanding and loyalty, where neither party sought to profit from the other but instead nurtured one another’s growth and well-being. To see friendship as something to be dissected, analyzed, or manipulated for the sake of public curiosity is to lose sight of its true value. Sarah Hyland’s words remind us that friendship should not be commodified, not even by the weight of fame or the constant scrutiny of the public eye.

Consider the relationship between David and Jonathan in the Bible, two friends whose bond transcended even the pressures of a kingdom. David, though destined for the throne, valued his friendship with Jonathan above all else. Their friendship was not for show, nor was it a relationship built on what others might think. It was a pure, unselfish connection rooted in mutual respect, where each man upheld the other's dignity and happiness. To the world, their friendship might have seemed trivial or inconsequential in the grand scheme of politics and power, but to them, it was the very foundation of their strength. Sarah Hyland’s declaration is not so different; she, too, speaks to the desire to keep friendship private, to protect it from the prying eyes of those who would seek to make something personal into something public.

In the world today, particularly in the age of social media, we are constantly urged to share our lives—our joys, our struggles, our friendships—with the world. Yet, there is a deep wisdom in Hyland’s words, for not all things are meant to be shared with the world at large. Friendship, true and sacred, is a private bond, not a spectacle for others to judge or comment on. When she posts a picture with Taylor Swift, it is not for the validation of others, but a simple reflection of her relationship with her friend. Just as the ancient warriors kept their deepest alliances and pacts secret, out of respect for the sacredness of their bonds, so too must we guard the sanctity of our friendships from the incessant need for public approval.

In this light, Sarah Hyland’s words serve as a powerful reminder that friendship is not an object to be owned or a subject to be questioned. To treat friendship with the reverence it deserves is to acknowledge that it exists not for the amusement of others, but for the enrichment of those who share it. Taylor Swift and Sarah Hyland may be well-known figures, but their bond is no less precious or private because of their public stature. They are not to be reduced to characters in a story for others to analyze and scrutinize. They are two souls, joined in friendship, and that connection must be respected as such.

Consider the great warriors of old, whose alliances were formed not for show, but out of mutual trust and honor. Achilles and Patroclus shared a bond that was unspoken, a friendship that ran deeper than the very wars they fought. It was not for the world to understand, nor did they seek the approval of others. Their friendship was sacred, and it was that very bond that fueled their courage in the darkest moments of battle. Sarah Hyland, too, calls for a similar respect—one that understands friendship for what it is, not as a spectacle, but as a sacred trust.

The lesson here, young ones, is simple: friendship is sacred, and it must be treated with the reverence it deserves. Do not allow the world to intrude upon your bonds, to turn your connections into something shallow, something to be dissected for the sake of entertainment or curiosity. Instead, nurture your friendships with care and respect, knowing that their worth lies not in how they are perceived, but in the depth of the love and trust that exist between you and those you call your friends. Protect them from the gaze of the world, just as Sarah Hyland protects her bond with Taylor Swift. In doing so, you will preserve the purity and beauty of what it means to be a true friend—loyal, steadfast, and ever true.