I think we need a new word: “prendship”.

A prendship is a permanent relationship that is a friendship.

Making up this new word came from a couple of things.

Firstly, separating from my wife.

Marriage is, still, usually thought of as permanent. Even though a large percentage of those who get married then get divorced.

Similarly marriage is regarded as the most serious relationship. Even though, in my experience, people are often closer to their friends than their spouse.

It occurred to me that there are ceremonies for marriage but not for friendship. Yet our friendships are often the most enduring and sustaining relationships that we have.

Secondly, having a word for relating to a partnership that isn’t marriage.

I don’t want to go down the marriage path again but I do want my relationship to be taken seriously. Even though people agree that their friendships are often deeper and longer lasting than their marriage the word ‘friendship’ still doesn’t seem have the required seriousness.

So I think we need a new word: Prendship.

Do you think this word could be useful to you? What sort of ceremony do you think would be appropriate for recognition of a prendship?