New icons on our posts

I was browsing this site today and I noticed some new icons on our posts. One of them is titled "friends". Do we have to send a message and ask specifically if someone will be our friend or do we just click on the "friend" icon to initiate the asking? Does anyone know? I would like to be a friend to everyone on this site as I consider all of you my friends. Melody

Click on the "friend" part of the my post and it will send a message to me to approve you as a friend. Or if you go to each person profile there is a 'friend' button on it I think. Gala

Thank you Gala. I'm still not really sure what benefit being being listed as a "friend" has, except that it's fun. Melody

I think there is an option - or I know there is actually. That if you post pictures on your profile..go to mine and you will see recent ones of my kids. That it can be for your "friends" only. It is more private. I think I saw you can put where only your friends can read your blog also. Gala