Everyone takes certain things for granted, and in a way it’s human nature to get accustomed to a routine and forget to notice all that we have.

This habit isn’t normally dangerous — for example, your health won’t disintegrate because you aren’t conscious of how lucky you are to be healthy. However, in the case of the people in our lives, this lack of acknowledgment, often rooted in familiarity, can kill a relationship. I’ve seen too many good relationships, both platonic and romantic, ruined because one party felt it was being taken for granted. There are few things worse than feeling like you are the only one trying — like you are putting in everything and getting nothing back.

Not to say that there aren’t times in any relationship where one person needs help and a stronger person to lean on — this is in fact one of the most useful aspects of a good relationship.

People should remember how lucky they are to have someone they can really rely on and they should let the people who are important in their lives know how much they mean to them. It’s difficult to find a friend that will always be there. As college students, it’s even more important to maintain strong friendships as we end up leaning more heavily on our friends because our families aren’t around.

Friends become surrogate families — healing our broken hearts and celebrating our triumphs.

That friend who cares, who wants the best for you, who is there when you need him or her, deserves the same in return, and — even more — he or she deserve to know how you feel. When was the last time you really let your best friend know how much they mean to you? Sure, people often say “OMG! I love you! You are the best!” But how often do you take the time to have a serious conversation about how important someone is to you? How often do you try to repay your friends through sincere and frank praise? I’m surprised by how much a genuine conversation about how amazing someone is can be appreciated, and it has convinced me that there is a lack of open acknowledgment toward those who deserve it most.

When someone one doesn’t know well offers to do one a favor, he or she is often much more profuse in gratitude than he or she would be if a close friend offered the same service — which actually seems backward.

It seems to me that if someone truly knows you and they still want to talk to you, then he or she is basically invaluable. And if that person should prove to be a loyal friend then he or she deserves to know just how phenomenal you think he or she is. No huge gesture is necessary, just a few heartfelt words can make someone’s week. Everyone likes to feel valued and special, and it’s so easy to do.

This time of year a lot of people, gearing up for the new year and semester, tend to become very focused on themselves and the improvements and changes they want to make.

It’s all very admirable. I just hope there could be a little more attention toward making the important people in our lives realize just how crucial they are to the whole operation. Personally, there are a few people without which, I would simply cease to function properly, and I know I’m not alone in that respect. What would any of us do if one of those people that we count on so often felt that he or she was being taken advantage of and decided that the friendship wasn’t worth the effort?

I vote we don’t let it get to that. It’s not that difficult to see when a friend is down, and offer support, but wouldn’t it be nicer if we didn’t let it get to that point? What if we pulled a preemptive strike on our friends and let them know they are amazing on a random Tuesday? (interesting, apparently today’s a Tuesday — convenient, no?)

For one, it would mean more to them, because it’s not as surprising that a friend would tell you that you are a great person who deserves the world after a brutal breakup and it’s certainly more difficult to believe it.

To have a friend tell you how special you are without provocation is not only a very pleasant surprise but also makes it difficult not to believe the praise because there is no motivation other than expressing one’s true feelings. So, make this your random Tuesday, let those who never let you down that they are incredible — you won’t regret it.

E-mail Kate at [email protected].