What is friendship ?

I was once asked to define Friendship and I couldn’t explain it at that moment.

On contemplating the definition for friendship I could think of many, rather I experienced many and it was by itself a greater feeling. I believe it is far beyond monetary values with a greater amount of emotional investment, and it might be anticipated as an obligation at times but differing perceptions are obvious. Obligation also means a sense of responsibility and the very same should be trusted with confidence; as there is no methodology to prove one’s happiness that arises being associated with a person one is affectionate about.

I perceive friendship as clearly a deep awareness of our friend’s position and being part of it, which is empathy and definitely not sympathy, an approach to share just the pain. I guess the meaning is clearly distinguishable.