Affinity

Or is it that they mirror back ourselves to us? I'm thinking of the technique, which I always forget to follow, where one copies the positions and movements of the individual whom one is trying to entrance. I've never succeeded in maintaining the effort long enough to see if it works, I get involved in the conversation and lose my agenda.

Then again, is it that they call to our better selves, and in feeling better about ourselves we include the one who made us feel better? Which I think is what you said. It might be different, one's better self may not always be the part one values most in one's self. My better self is far more compassionate than I am usually capable of sustaining. I can't say I like myself best when I am compassionate, rather, I think I like myself best when I can make people laugh.

When I think of the people I like, I mean really like, it is usually because they are entertaining, not always humorous, but it's always worth spending time in their company because time flies. I think that's my acid test: Is there never enough time to spend with that person? Perhaps it is the measure of intensity that I feel with that person, do I feel like I'm living my life when I am with them, or just going through the motions? Am I bored in their company?

Well, I argued myself in a circle, and returned to your original premise. Maybe it is because I like myself best when I am with them. Which seems very existential... Do you really exist unless you make me feel good about myself?