Friendship, one of humanity's most cherished bonds, is often enveloped in intangible connections that are hard to articulate yet are keenly felt. Here, we delve into the signs illuminating a friendship's strength.

Foremost is mutual respect, one of the cornerstones of a strong friendship. This respect manifests in a shared appreciation for each other’s values, ideas, and individuality. Friends need not agree on all fronts, but a powerful bond thrives on respecting divergent perspectives.

Secondly, open communication is indispensable. A healthy friendship often encourages honest conversations, whether they bring joy or discomfort. This openness allows friends to express their feelings, resolve conflicts, and strengthen their bond.

Jeff Kaliel believes another critical sign of a strong friendship is dependability. This is epitomized when friends prove reliable in times of crisis, offering emotional and practical support. It is this unwavering trust that helps cement the friendship further.

Furthermore, being oneself without fearing judgment, often termed 'authenticity,' is integral to a strong friendship. It's about being comfortable in your skin, knowing you are accepted for who you are, quirks and all.

Empathy, too, is a crucial component. A good friend will sympathize with your situation and empathize, feeling your joy, pain, and everything in between as if they were their own.

Finally, a distinctive feature of a strong friendship is endurance through time and change. This adaptability is a testament to a friendship’s strength as it navigates through the waves of evolving lifestyles, geographical distances, or different life stages yet remains unscathed.

In conclusion, a strong friendship is a confluence of respect, communication, dependability, authenticity, empathy, and adaptability. Like the threads of a tightly woven fabric, these elements create a resilient and enduring friendship. It is in recognizing and cultivating these markers that we find ourselves in the embrace of a truly profound companionship.