Friends For 15 Years? All Answers

Time can play a big role in friendships.

You may have met someone a year ago and immediately felt a “click” on your first boyfriend date. Suddenly, they’re the ones you talk to about anything and everything – from the type of salad you had for lunch to your biggest goals in life.

Or maybe you’re celebrating a ten-year friendship with your high school bestie and reminiscing about times gone by every time you’re together. They may still be the first to ask you for advice, and vice versa.

No matter what stage of your friendship you’re in, it’s worth celebrating.

Because every bond is unique, the words you express to them may differ depending on your relationship. In this post we share friendship anniversary quotes for every type of friend in your life.

IN THIS ARTICLE

WHAT IS A FRIENDSHIP ANNIVERSARY?

Similar to marriage anniversaries and work anniversaries, friendship anniversaries (or friendiversary for short) commemorate the first day of an event.

In this case, it’s the recognition of the first moment you became friends. Of course, pinpointing the exact date can be difficult because, unlike a wedding or a job start, there is no formal day when you become friends with someone.

Good thing there are no rules for setting friendship dates, so consider it the first funny moment you shared with your best friend. If you need help remembering, flip through the photos in your camera roll. You might find your first selfie together, or a snap from an adventure you both had last summer.

Once you have your Friendiversary date, put it on your calendar so you remember to celebrate it again next year!

HOW TO EXPRESS FRIENDSHIP IN WORDS?

How do you say “happy anniversary of friendship” to your best friend in a meaningful way?

The key is to make it personal. Write or choose a message that isn’t the same as you would give to another friend. Think about what connects the two of you (perhaps an inside joke or a common interest).

Read through past text messages, strike up new conversations, and weave in different elements of her personality to write an anniversary wish to a friend.

HAPPY FRIEND ANNIVERSARY WISHES

There are many anniversary quotes for friends on the internet that you can go through for hours. To make this process easier and save you time, we’ve curated our favorites and categorized them by topic.

Whether you want to send a short and sweet anniversary text message for a friend or a funny one that will make him laugh, you’ve come to the right place.

Feel free to personalize these quotes even further by adding their name or changing the wording in any way that best celebrates your friendship.

Happy Best Friend Anniversary Quotes

“It seemed like they had always been friends and always would be. Time could change a lot, but not that.” -Winnie the Pooh

“We have been together in everything we do. I know I’ll never find a friend that faithful.”

“Love is flowery. Friendship is like a sheltering tree.” – Samuel Taylor Coleridge

“We come from families that are far from perfect, so you end up almost being parents and siblings to your friends — your own chosen family.” -Jennifer Aniston

“A friendship like ours is priceless. Happy Friendship Anniversary.”

“Many people come and go in your life, but only true friends leave a mark on your heart.” -Eleanor Roosevelt

“True friends grow with you as you go through different stages of life. Thank you for growing with me through mine. I love you. Happy Friendship Anniversary.”

Happy month greetings for friends

Happy 1 month friendship anniversary:

“There’s no word yet for old friends who just met.” – Jim Henson

“I’m lucky to have met you.”

“I consider myself so fortunate to have crossed your path. You are such a great friend.”

“We may have just met, but I can say you’re one in a million. Happy Friendship Anniversary!”

“It’s the friends we meet along the way that help us appreciate our journey.”

“The 30 days with you by my side felt like a lifetime. Happy one month anniversary!”

“This is just the beginning of a lifelong friendship! Happy one month anniversary, beast.”

Happy Year of Friendship Wishes

Friendship Anniversary Wishes:

“I love the day I met you.”

Your coming is a happiness that I will cherish all my life. Cheers to a year. ”

“Going through life with you was the best experience of my life. Happy to be good friends for a year.”

“Your friendship is a special gift. Given generously. Gladly accepted. And deeply appreciated.”

“Two things you never need to chase: true friends and true love.” – Mandy Hale

“You brought out the best in me. Now I’m stuck with you Thank you for a year of knowing the best friendship ever.”

“Things are never that scary when you have a best friend.” – Bill Watterson

Happy Milestone Friendship Quotes

Happy 2 Year Friendship Anniversary Quotes (these can be for longer friendships too):

“I am still amazed and happy that you are with me.”

“Everyone has a friend at every stage of life. But only the lucky ones have the same friend in all walks of life.”

“You’re the one who brings out the best in me. Cheers to our decade of friendship!”

“Long-time friends are a family we choose.” – Patrick Regan

“All I need is a friend like you. Happy 10 years of friendship to us.”

“Long friendships are like jewels that are polished over time to become beautiful and lasting.” – Celia Brayfield

“True friends are closest to the heart and you are closest to me. Happy Friendship Anniversary!”

Funny anniversary quotes for friends

Funny Anniversary Quotes To Friends:

“You are my Nemo. If you get lost in the great ocean, I will find you.”

“Most of us don’t need a psychiatrist as much as we need a friend to fool around with.” – Robert Brault

“It’s one of the blessings of old friends that you can afford to be stupid with them.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Best friends know how crazy you are and still prefer to be seen with you in public.”

“Friends are the chocolate chips in the cookie of life.”

“We’re going to be the old ladies causing trouble in the nursing homes.”

“We’ll be best friends forever because you already know too much.”

Short WhatsApp and SMS messages for friends

Short greetings via SMS to your bestie:

“Me and you against the world.”

“I’m so lucky to have you in my life!”

“You and me for life.”

“You are the best.”

“I don’t know what I would do without you.”

“You make my life so much brighter.”

“Thank you for being like family to me.”

How do you celebrate a friendship anniversary?

Now that you have the right best friend anniversary quotes, put the greetings in a handwritten card or say them to your best friend in person.

You can even go one step further and plan a happy anniversary celebration.

A few ideas…

Recreate a fun memory that connects the two of you

Have a picnic in the park

Spend a day watching your favorite movies

Take a painting and wine class together

Take a road trip to a new place

Get manis and pedicures at your favorite spa

Volunteer for a good cause

Stay (because you’re never too old for one!)

Looking for more friend posts? Read…

10 years of friendship and still counting Quotes: This day is special for many reasons. Not only because you are celebrating 10 years of friendship, but also because you will still remember this day together in 10 years.

There is something beautiful about the celebration itself. The fact that it takes a decade for people to feel like they can officially call a friend a friend, and the fact that people support you all the time makes it worth celebrating such an important day.

Ten years of friendship is a great achievement. Here you will find various quotes from 10 years of friendship and still counting.

10 years of friendship and quotes still count

Here we give you 10 years of friendship quotes. Friendship is pure, it is the most precious thing in our life and connects two hearts.

Here’s to the next 10 years of friendship that still count. You are more than my best friend. I want to be a part of your life forever. I love you! The 10-year friendship has brought warmth and sparkle into our lives. You were an influential factor in shaping the exemplary personality I wear today. Thank you for always being there for me. There is no way to measure the depth of your love for me! It’s been 10 years today since I first met you and I still find you in my heart on this happy anniversary. I will always be there for me. You moved heaven, earth, sea and under the sea to be with me. What a wonderful friend! Loving You! Can you believe it’s been ten years since we started our friendship? I look back on that time and wonder how I made it through some of the challenges. It’s because of you, my friend, and because of your love and support. I will always be by your side in good times and bad. I love you bud! Our friendship has endured many bad times and good times, it is as it should be and I hope nothing changes. Happy 10 years of friendship and still counting mate. Today is our 10th anniversary of friendship! Even though Facebook tells me we’ve known each other for 15 years, it only feels like yesterday when we first started dating. We bonded in a way I had never had before and I knew we should be friends forever. 10 years later you are not only my best friend but also my sister. I love you more and more every day! I’m glad we managed to stay friends for 10 long years. You know me better than anyone and I trust you with my life 100%. I’ve been there from the start. We were just friends and then lovers, now you’re a part of my life! Loving you is easy because you are not only my lover but also the best friend I could ask for. Sometimes I wonder where my life would be if I hadn’t met you! Thank you for staying with me all these years. I have loved you for 10 years and I will love you forever, thank you for your presence in my life. You are the best friend a person can have, thank you for letting me be a part of your life and for always being there when I need you. you are a great person And just so you know. I LOVE YOU! My wonderful friend, we have been through a lot together and I hope we will share more memories now and in the future. May God continue to bless you and your family. Thank you for always being there for me, I love you much and much. Not a day goes by that I don’t miss you. We were inseparable and our friendship was the best. I still have the pictures that remind me of our good times together. I miss those days a lot, we grew up together! Our love has grown and multiplied so much that distance can no longer separate us. 10 years of friendship and still counting… my love for you will always be in my heart. You are my best friend, my accomplice, the love of my life. There were so many moments in our ten years together that I could never have made it without you by my side. You are so special to me and I cherish every single day we had together! You’ve been my best friend for ten years now. You’ve always been there for me through thick and thin. You are one of my dream partners, you complete me in every way and I don’t know what I would do without you. Happy anniversary! We’ve been through everything. And no matter where the future takes us, our friendship will endure. I cherish every moment we share and I want to share many more with the woman who stole my heart. You deserve happiness in this world and I’m so glad you found it with me. You are my dearest friend and if you ever need me, I will always be there for you.” We shared the best years of our lives together. I hope there are many more to look forward to. I love you very much my dearest friend. Dude, you’re like my brother! I won’t let you go now Your friendship means a lot to me and I will make sure it lasts for many years to come. As many struggles as we have had in the past, no matter what comes our way, we will always be there for each other. My friendship with you is a promise that I will always be there for you, it is a gift to have you as my best friend. Over the years we’ve been through thousands of ups and downs and we’re still standing here………together. 10 years of friendship, sharing, laughing and even shedding tears. You made it so easy to confide in, like a best friend we were looking for. It’s amazing what 10 years of friendship can do. I hope we have more reunions like this one. What can I say. You are my best friend and I love you to infinity and beyond. As we move forward in the universe, I want you to know that you will always have a special place in my heart. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being a part of my life for so long! You were a better friend to me than you will ever know. Thank you for always being a part of my life!” Friendship is one soul in two bodies. Happy 10 years of friendship and still counting. Friends are the family you choose… I am so lucky to have such an amazing friend like you. I pray that one day we will meet in person! I know you will always be there for me because you are just an amazing person. You know how to make me feel better and cheer me up when I’m down. I love you a thousand times! Happy anniversary! When we first met I knew you were special. You made me feel more comfortable than I’ve ever felt with anyone in my entire life. I have the best girlfriend in the world. You are so understanding and loving to everyone, with love spreading from you like a disease. I am proud to say that I have known and counted you for 10 years. I love you with all my heart! Once I was sad and lonely because I had nothing. Then you came and gave me love and joy, you gave me everything you have. We’ve been friends for 10 years. We grow up together, we’ve been through the best and the worst of times together; our life will continue to grow in friendship as long as we let it. I am lucky to have you as my dearest and closest friend. You can count on me. Your friendship and love is all I need in my life. There are no words to describe how much you mean to me. I look forward to your smile every day. Always stay with me and never let go, otherwise I might not exist. Also check: 9 Years of Friendship and Still Counting Quotes I’ve known you for ten years but it seems like it was only yesterday when you were just a brand new newbie. I wasn’t sure at the time how long we would last, but here we are after ten wonderful years. Granted, we didn’t always get along, and I might even have stuck your head through a wall or two… but at the end of the day, you’re there for me no matter what. In that I can console myself. We’ve been friends for 10 long years. Can you believe that time can go by so quickly? I remember when we were still in high school and now we’re in college! I remember we had so much fun going home from school and gossiping about the latest gossip. When we met 10 years ago I was in my 10th grade and you were my senior. You had poise, confidence, and what can I say about you, you had everything I wanted. From that time to this day, I don’t consider you a friend or a teammate, but someone special, a love of my life that completes me as a person. When I first met you 10 years ago, I never thought we would spend time together. I never thought we would become such good friends that we could even talk about anything. You know me better than I know myself and it makes me feel safe to be around you. I love you. I love how our friendship has stood the test of time, growing stronger through our adventures and adversities, through hard times and good times. Our ten year friendship is a beautiful gift we gave each other, thank you for being there my friend. Great friendships last a lifetime and no matter what you’re going through, they’re always there. There’s something magical about having a friend who’s seen you at your worst and loves you at your best. These amazing quotes about friendship will make you feel nostalgic for how you met and how you love each other. Friends are the family we choose for ourselves… I will love, care for and pray for you all my life. You have all filled a place in my heart that now feels complete. I was lucky enough to meet you all, my best friends, sisters, brothers. Being with you is like reading a book. It’s an exciting journey and at the end I just want to start all over again. Friendship doesn’t need words, but I will always tell you… I LOVE YOU! My friend Michelle, 10 years of friendship and still counting! Time flies, yesterday we were classmates. How has our life changed over time? I’m so lucky to have such a great friend by my side who shares all the ups and downs of my life with me. You were there for me when I needed you most and I’m here for you now wishing you all the best in your future endeavors. You have the biggest heart that you share with everyone around you. I love Most relationships last anywhere from several months to several years. But very few people know a love that lasts ten wonderful years and still counts. I have 2 suggestions on how to spend 10 years with one person: either you end up hating each other or you love each other very much. With you it was the second and I still hope it will be like this when we celebrate our 30th anniversary! You’ve been my buddy for 10 years, never questioned or doubted us. Not always an easy path, but I wouldn’t change it for the world. Thanks for being in my corner, love you brother! This is for all the things I know I could never say and all your friendship has done for me. You let me know what it means to be a true friend and no matter how long we’ve been apart, you’re always in my heart. The last ten years have been the best of my life and I mean that with all my heart. I met you when I was just starting college. I was a confused kid and you were there for me. You heard my sobs, held me in your arms and took my pain away. 10 years have passed since that day but words cannot describe the love I have for you. I don’t know what I would do without you by my side! 10 years of friendship and still counting. Life has changed quite a bit. Happy 10th anniversary of the greatest friendship I could ever wish for. Here’s to another 10 years of laughter, smiles, love and fun. I couldn’t ask for a better friend than you; you are truly amazing inside and out. Thank you for all the memories we made together A. They were perfect. We share a bond that no one else could ever understand, and that’s what makes our relationship so special. We’ve spent a lot of time together – and we’ve been through a lot too. Any 10 year anniversary is quite remarkable and this is one of the most remarkable I can think of. I love our friendship and am so glad it lasts so long. I wish you all the best for your future! When you look back on all the things we’ve been through, the long goodbyes, the tears shed, the laughter and all those special times. You realize you are so lucky to have had these experiences with a friend like me. I have loved you for 10 years and counting! I love you every day more than the day before! You are my best friend and I can’t wait to continue this amazing journey we call life! HAPPY 10th Anniversary to the love of my life! I remember when our friendship began. I could tell from your eyes that you had a friendly but cheeky attitude about you. I just knew I needed to get to know you better, and boy was I right! You were always there for me as much as I was always there for you. Trust me when I say that if we weren’t BFFs forever, it would be like missing a piece of my heart. thank you for being you I love you tons. We have shared so much together; Tears, laughter, passion and joy. We’ve had our ups and downs, but we’ve always managed to find a way back to each other. Thank you for being my true friend. I am very lucky to have you in my life. Their friendship over the past 10 years has grown into one of my strongest relationships and I thank God everyday for bringing me a friend like you. You have always been there, through thick and thin, supported me through ups and downs – you are my rock! You have been my friend for over 10 years. We had so much fun and laughed together during our years together. We’ve gone places we never dreamed of going, amazing places you inspired us too. You were there when I needed someone and you came through every time. Thank you for your friendship, I love you! Together we have shared every joy and struggle for a decade; But no one can measure our friendship. When you are 10 years together, the love letter becomes a very important part of Valentine’s Day. Quotes can be a great way to express feelings and emotions. Let’s analyze the quotes and find out what it means for your partner. I want you to know how much it means that you have been my boyfriend for 10 years. We started MSN and now here we are, friends for life. Cheers to the longest friendship! Loving you is like breathing, how can I stop it? I’m so lucky to have found someone who makes me as happy as you do. You always believe in me and support me in everything I do. Your kindness and heart are unmatched by anyone. You are my soul mate and the best friend I could ever ask for. Thank you for making these past few years so special! I love you from the bottom of my heart! I am so grateful that our friendship has stood the test of time. Here we are a decade later, still friends and happy as ever. I love you so much and I couldn’t look at my life any other way. My best friend, my lover, my accomplice. There is no one like you in this world and I wouldn’t trade our friendship for anything. 10 years of friendship and still counting. You are more than just a friend. You are my lover and my best friend all rolled into one and so much more! 10 years and we are not ashamed. I never knew friendship could lead to romance, since when I don’t know. 10 years and more, that’s a lot of true love; the kind you keep locked, secure your heart. I’ve always known our friendship is as strong as a bond woven in heaven, but now I know it’s so much more. You are my friend for life and I am so glad to have you by my side. These 10 years have brought us closer than ever and I can’t wait to continue this journey with you. Happy anniversary and may God bless us forever! Wishing you lots of love this Valentine’s Day 10 years later and many more to come. Friendship like ours is priceless. Let’s both always remember that we are best friends. No matter what happens, I know you will be there to support me and I will be there to do the same. It was a pleasure to know you. I feel privileged to have you as a friend and I want you to know that I appreciate you. I’m happy, these 10 years with you were great. Cheers to us, happy 10 year anniversary of our friendship. We’ve been friends for ten years. We fell in love, we fought, we broke up and got back together. You are a part of my life I cannot live without. Happy 10th Anniversary! What a difference ten years can really make. When we started this journey I never thought it would take this long and looking back ten years later I’m just so grateful. The time we spent together is one of my fondest memories, but the passage of time also saddens me. Ten years really is a long time, but I’m glad you’re still with me and our friendship doesn’t seem to be fading anytime soon. Ten years of friendship and still counting, 10 years of togetherness we have spent. The thought of you got me thinking, but there’s no better feeling than being your friend. 10 years of friendship and still counting. You are my strength when I’m weak, my hope when I’m lost, my heart when I’m broken, and my joy in laughter. You are and always will be unique in my heart, thank you for making me smile. It’s 10 years of friendship and it still counts! I can not believe it. You are a wonderful friend, I love you. you are a great friend I’m so glad that God put us on each other’s paths. You have been a great teacher and pillar of support over the past decade. You’ve helped me through so much and I just can’t thank you enough. You will always be in my heart and in my prayers, with love I wish you very happy 10 years of friendship!!! 10 years ago I thought it would be impossible to maintain a friendship past 10 years. Now, 10 years later, I realize that I have found a friend in life who I can count on ’till death do us part. Thank you for staying For waiting. To fight. For never giving up. Not for me, not for our friendship, not for being best friends and accomplices. For never feeling silly about my pain, or crazy about my quirks, or antisocial about my reading, or boring about my keeping to myself (which is mostly the case). I don’t know how many more centuries we have together as committed best friends/partners in crime, but I look forward to being with you forever. Friendship is like a book – each person contributes a page and the memories we create are the bookmarks. Friendship is like an hourglass where the heart fills while the brain empties. I feel like we’re old friends, even though this weekend proves we’re so much more than friends. Spending more than 10 years with someone and still caring deeply about them is truly a gift. I love that we could laugh, cry, fight and kiss this weekend. I want to be with you forever…no matter what. We’ve been friends for ten years and we’re still counting. We have overcome so many obstacles in life together. I just want you to know how much I appreciate you. You are such a great friend who always helps and always takes care of me. I am honored to say that you are a part of my life.

See this: 11 years of friendship and quotes still count

“Best friends for life” is a term so loosely used but rarely seen in real life. If you have a friendship that has lasted more than 10 years, then you should be proud of it. Many friendships tend to end after a certain period in your life, like high school or college. You find it difficult to keep in touch as you move on to the next chapter in your life.

If you’re one of the lucky few to have a 10-year friendship, then here are 10 things to remember about your friendship:

1. You know what you like

10 years is a long time. In this period, your friend will surely know what you like. More importantly, they respect your hobbies and interests. Best of all, if they find your hobby or interests a bit unusual, you’re sure to encounter some friendly banter.

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2. You know what you don’t like

Similar to the last point, when you’ve been friends for 10 years, not only do they know what you like, they also know what you don’t like. The beauty of friendship is that there’s a delicate balance between respect and banter. If they see something you don’t like, always remember that they will tease you about it.

3. They are always there for you

In a friendship that’s lasted this long, you’ll find that you really don’t need to ask permission for anything. If you need advice, a helping hand or just want to talk to someone, you know where to get it.

4. They accept you for who you are.

Accepting a person isn’t just about knowing a person’s likes and dislikes. There’s more to it than that. By being accepted for who you are, you don’t have to pretend to be someone else. A lot of people trying to make friends pretend to be someone else so they can fit in. With your 10-year friendship, you’ll find that you can be proud of who you are and that you don’t need to change anything about yourself.

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5. You always remember the first time you met

A friendship that lasts that long doesn’t usually require much effort. In fact, you may have noticed that your friendship feels so natural. Because of this, you will look back on the day you first met and realize that your friendship really came out of nowhere.

6. You have 10 years of stuff to talk about

When you’re hanging out, you really don’t need to worry about what to say. That’s because you have 10+ years of stuff to talk about. Believe me, you can reminisce about old times whenever you feel like it. They’re called good times for a reason!

7. You took 10 years for a reason

Most friendships only last a certain amount of time in life. You’ll have friends through high school, college, or university, but when that’s over you lose touch pretty quickly and only see each other on special occasions. But your friendship lasted 10 years for a reason. Just hold onto that thought.

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8. You will always forget your arguments or indifferences

In any relationship that has lasted 10 years, you are bound to have disagreements and even some arguments, and the same goes for your friendship. You’ll have times when you can’t stand each other, but you tend to forget it pretty quickly. It’s strange but it’s true.

9. They are always by your side

If your boyfriend knows that you like a certain person, you can be sure that he will always try to put in a good word for you whenever he meets that special person you like. The same is true when they see someone they don’t like. They will stand up for you no matter what. There is a very good reason for this – your boyfriend who has been by your side for 10 years will always want you to be happy.

10. Your friendship will end

As with everything in life, there will come a time when your friendship will come to an end. This can be for whatever reason. This can be a new job, moving house or starting a family. Sure you can have contact, but your new life will slowly take over. Whatever happens, make the most of your friendship. You never know what’s around the corner.

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Featured Photo Credit: Lisa Runnels via pixabay.com

Oyewole Folarin loves writing greeting card messages and helping others find the words they need to express life’s special moments.

What to write in your friend’s birthday card

Your childhood friend’s birthday is approaching and you’re racking your brains to come up with a heartbreaking message to write in their card. I’ve provided a few notes and sayings that you can share in a greeting card or post on social media. Show how lucky you are to have them in your life and share the memories you’ve made with them over the years.

1. We have been friends for over twenty years. You deserve only the best on your big day and I am so grateful for everything we were able to experience together. I wish you the best birthday ever!

2. Happy Birthday! I wanted to let you know how much I care about you and hope your day is as great as you are!

3. You are my best friend and a great blessing in my life. I wish you all the best because you deserve it!

4. Can’t wait to see everyone and celebrate your birthday with you, best friend!

5. Another year older, another year wiser. I hope everything today inspires you for the year ahead.

6. I wish I could make it to your birthday party to celebrate with you! Have a nice day and I look forward to seeing you again soon!

7. You have no idea how much you mean to me. I think of you often and wish you a happy birthday!

8. I hope beautiful things happen to you today and forever. Happy Birthday!

9. Thank you for always taking the time to put a smile on my face. Let’s celebrate your special day and keep memories forever!

10. You are the most amazing person I have ever met. I hope your birthday is full of happy moments and joy!

11. I wish I could celebrate with you today, but I still wanted to wish you a wonderful birthday. Let it be well with you!

12. We are very happy to celebrate your birthday with you this year. We wish you happiness, health and happiness!

13. You have always been nice to me. I wish you all the best and want to let you know that you are an amazing human being!

14. I will miss celebrating your big day with you. Happy Birthday! I miss you!

15. I miss your smile and everything about you. Here’s to wishing you a happy birthday, best friend!

16. I want to send you happy birthday wishes. May this year and years to come bring you many sweet memories!

17. Our friendship since childhood has always meant so much to me. Happy birthday and thanks for everything!

18. Celebrate your special day with fun!

19. You always look ten years younger than you actually are. I hope someday you share your secrets with me. In the meantime, happy birthday!

20. Great people like you are hard to find and even harder to keep. I wish you all the best and happy birthday my dear friend!

21. Thank you for the sweet memories we have been able to share over the past 15 years. If I could go back to our childhood, I wouldn’t want to change anything about our friendship. Happy Birthday!

22. I remembered that today is your birthday and I started thinking about all the exciting times we had in college. you are such a great friend Happy Birthday!

23. Happy Birthday! One of my greatest joys in life is having someone like you by my side. Thank you for believing in me and challenging me to be a better friend by being the best ever!

24. You are my best friend and second to none. Thank you for being an important part of my life since I was a child! I wish you an unforgettable birthday.

25. I want to wish you a happy birthday. You can make even more great memories here for years to come. I hope all your birthday dreams come true!

26. I will never forget the memories of our time together and I am so inspired by everything you do. Happy Birthday!

27. Every memory shared with you is a treasure that will never fade. Congratulations on reaching another year and happy birthday!

28. I think of you often and am honored to be a part of your birthday celebrations. I hope you enjoy your day to the fullest. Happy Birthday!

29. Happy Birthday! I wish we could celebrate your special day together like we did when we were young. Enjoy your day and rest!

30. I wish you great days with many beautiful things that make life great.

31. Putting smiles on people’s faces is your superpower. I pray that on your special day you will continue to grow in wisdom and understanding to fulfill your dreams and make the world a better place. Happy Birthday!

32. This birthday party reminds me of the beautiful memories we shared together. You are more than my best friend. You are my brother! I wish you the best birthdays!

33. You are such a great friend and honestly my superhero. I wish you good luck, health and happiness!

34. I’m lucky to have a friend like you to walk through life with me. The shared childhood experiences will forever be in my heart. Happy Birthday!

35. I owe you a debt of gratitude for your extraordinary friendship. Your support and care have made me what I am today. Happy birthday to a talented and amazing friend!

36. I wanted to thank you for all the love and care you have shown me since we met as children. I hope you find happiness beyond your wildest dreams. Happy Birthday!

37. Wishing my childhood friend (that’s you!) a happy birthday and many amazing years!

38. I want to let the whole world know what an incredible friend you are. I wish you an unforgettable birthday!

39. I could travel the world and never find someone who is as good a friend as you are. Thank you for being you. Happy birthday, best friend!

40. Making people smile is your superpower. Thank you for being so kind and caring. I wish you the best birthdays!

41. Thank you for your kindness and support. Use your birthday to celebrate the hero that you are!

42. Today is your day. May all your birthday wishes come true!

43. I hope you have a wonderful birthday!

44. You inspire me every day. Have an amazing birthday, best friend!

45. Finding a friend like you is almost impossible. Happy Birthday!

46. ​​You are an incredible roommate and friend. I don’t think I would have gotten to where I am today without you. We wish you a happy birthday and an unforgettable year!

47. I have traveled far and wide but have yet to meet anyone as loving and caring as you. I wish you all the best and wish you a blessed birthday!

48. I wish you good luck and health for the years to come!

49. I wanted to wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors and have a fantastic birthday!

50th Happy Birth Day My Friend! Let’s celebrate tonight!

51. If someone asked me to talk about my childhood, the story wouldn’t be complete without you. Happy Birthday!

52. If you become [insert age] today, you know I’ll always be there to celebrate with you!

© 2017 Oyewole Folarin

Adama Jallow on April 27, 2020:

Wonderful

Birthday wishes for friends: what to write in a friend’s birthday card

By Amy Trowbridge-Yates Our friends are like the family we choose—they answer our messages, give us Netflix and skincare recommendations, and keep us going when we need it most. But so often we don’t take the time to tell them how much they mean to us. So it’s important to not only write a funny GIF on their birthdays, but also to write a heartfelt, personalized message. But creating the perfect birthday wishes for friends can be tricky, so we’ve put together a list of tips and options to help you express your BFF-ness (and beyond) on their birthday! Inspired? Create and share by tagging @HallmarkStores.

Want birthday message ideas for any relationship? You know we got you – check out more birthday card wishes.

Simple and short

Sometimes the card says it all. Or maybe you’re just not the mushy type. In these cases, succinct can be the best way when it comes to birthday wishes for friends. Here are some lines to add some extra love and personality to your powerful little message. I hope you come to (gardening/skate/eating sushi/any favorite activity) today!

today! I hope your [25th] is the best yet!

] is the best so far! [Carolina], you’re living your best life! And this year it really shows.

[Aliyah] Happy Birthday to one of my favorite people in history of all time.

I love being your (neighbor/PTA volunteer/co-chair)!

I am so glad to have met you and to know you.

¡Feliz Cumpleanos! Que seas muy feliz, no solo hoy, sino todos los dias de tu vida.

I hope it’s the happiest ever…you deserve it!

Best friend

You’ve seen everything. You have done everything. They held your hand and watched your back. So what to write in a best friend’s birthday card? Get cute and personal and let them know what they mean to you! Here are some ways to get started. To my beautiful best friend, [Jackie]! You deserve everything wonderful in the world.

What would I do without you? I would be all alone in my (thrift shopping/carrot cake eating/walking)!

How was I lucky enough to call you my BFF? I am so grateful.

You make my life a million times better. I hope you know how much you mean to me.

Our friendship is so natural. Thank you for all the ways you love and accept me.

You are my unbiased, no makeup required, come as you are friend for life.

You deserve a great birthday because you are great. And fun. And the coolest. And all the reasons.

[Christy], I can’t believe we’ve been friends since (middle school/college/our first job). I’m so glad I had you in my life for so long.

You’re my favorite person I don’t hang out with.

Not everyone can say they have a best friend like you. I know I’m so lucky to know you and love you.

Looking for a fun gift for your BFF? Fill out a Hallmark Mixbook with your favorite photos of the two of you and send it along with your card for an extra thoughtful gesture.

Strange

Funny birthday wishes for friends are the best of both worlds: you can send a little love AND laughter! Here are a few ideas to get you up and running. You bring out the crazy in me [Kyla]. That’s both a good thing and a bad thing.

Friends for life! Deal with it.

Having you in my life just makes everything better. And (louder/funnier/spicier)!

Thanks for always putting up with my (late night calls/crazy driving) – I know I owe you more than a birthday drink.

I know I owe you more than a birthday drink. Should we make birthday plans or just stay at home and write from the couch?

I love you enough to send you a card instead of just a text.

I hope your birthday party is as big as your 90’s bangs!

Writing tip: Do you both share an inside joke? Reference it in her birthday card! They will have fun looking back down the road and remembering.

About the miles

It totally stinks not having your people around on important days like birthdays! But when you don’t see each other often, it’s more important than ever to send sweet birthday messages to friends far away. Try these. HERE is not the same with you THERE!

Come back here! I need you!

Just because I see you less doesn’t mean I love you less!

I hope your birthday is filled with good times and good (sushi/nachos/wine)! I wish we could enjoy it together!

[Sharon], you are far away but very close in my heart.

Girl, get your birthday butt back here!

I wish we could spend your birthday (shopping/crafts) together!

Delayed

If a long to-do list or memory lapse delayed sending your card, send it anyway! Belated birthday wishes for friends are still birthday wishes. You can add a sincere or humorous apology…or just style it as your way of extending the birthday fun. I wouldn’t be if it was on time, would I?

Sorry I missed it [Alishia]! hope it was happy!

I may have forgotten your birthday, but I always think of you!

You are on my mind whether I’m on time or not!

It’s a little late, but it’s BIG in love!

Happy Birthday from your not so stuffy friend!

Thank you for always overlooking my flaws…like my tendency to be late.

girlfriend

Birthday messages for girlfriends are especially important – because a good girls’ group is irreplaceable. Here are a few examples of how to show love to your gang of girls. you are my person My goal. My home girl for life.

Love the way our friendship is fun filled and drama free!

Good friends are hard to come by. so glad i found you

You, [Chantal], are a queen. Here’s to another happy birthday.

Thank you for influencing me in the wonderful way only a strong woman can.

I love you my fearless vivacious friend.

I hope you know that you’re my ride or die.

Thank you for being such an extraordinary woman, someone I always learn from.

#Kill! On your birthday and also every other day. Happy birthday, beautiful [Shanae].

male friend

Let’s face it, birthday wishes for a male friend can be a little trickier to write, especially if he’s not the sentimental type. But you don’t have to be muddy or long-winded to be candid and personal. You are one of my favorite people!

You’re such a great guy [Charlie]. hope you know that

the aviator You are that.

HBD IRL and not just in a social media post!

homies for life You and me.

Happy birthday to one of the coolest guys I know.

Best wishes to the (funniest/nerdiest/stylishest) birthday boy ever!

Birthday Boy Ever! You are such a great guy and deserve a great year – I hope it’s filled with all your favorite beers (beer/video games)!

Another year older and you just keep getting cooler.

Writing tip: You don’t have to be short and sweet. Boys have feelings too! If he’s been there for you a lot lately, open up and let him know how much he appreciates you. Just don’t let him read it in front of you.

Heartfelt and meaningful

Birthdays are full of fun, but they’re also the perfect time to express your feelings and share your heart. If you want more meaningful birthday wishes for friends, here are some ways to say what’s often left unsaid. You are the BEST when it comes to friendship. All of it.

You and I were just meant to be friends.

You have such a good heart and you make such a difference in the world.

all you need is love And laughter. With you I have both!

I’m so happy that you’re my person [Steph].

[Sonya] you bring out the best in me.

I hope your birthday is just the beginning of a year full of happiness.

You deserve more than just a day to celebrate the incredible person you are!

Happy birthday to someone who just makes life better.

Religious

For loyal friends, there are many special options for adding meaning to a card. Adding a scripture or reminder of God’s love is a beautiful way to add a special birthday wish for a religious friend. Here are some options. He truly blessed me by putting you into my life!

I’m so glad to know you and your good, God loving heart.

I’m so thankful to God to have a faith friend like you [Danielle].

Hope the coming year is full of blessings!

I thank Him especially today for the amazing blessing that YOU are!

I hope you feel all the love today – especially his.

Like a sister

She’s not just your friend, she’s like family. You’re so close you might as well be related (and perhaps people often mistake you for sisters!). How do you even start writing just the right birthday wishes for friends who are like a sister to you? Let’s get started. I love you as much (if not more than) my own family.

In my heart you are my sister, [Sherice].

I love how we cultivate friendship in such a close, sisterly way.

You are like a sister to me. We don’t share genes, but we share everything else, right?

Because of you, I know what real friendship is [Lisa].

Our closeness is something rare and wonderful.

You always showed up for me. For me, that’s sisterhood.

You are my sister. Blood or not, we are family.

Thank you for being there for small things, big things and everything in between [Kelly].

Thank you for the million ways you always have my back.

To say we’re tight doesn’t even come close. I love you sister.

Inspiring

A birthday means a new year, a fresh start, another year to embrace life. Here are some ideas for inspirational birthday wishes for a friend. Life is ready and waiting for all your dreams [Lydia]!

You deserve wishes that come true more than anyone I know.

Celebrate like the true free spirit you are!

Happy birthday to a friend who dreams big and is loved even bigger.

I hope the love and smiles you spread come back to you a million times today!

Don’t count the candles – count the hugs, the smiles, the memories.

Birthdays are a bright new beginning… and the best is yet to come!

Writing tip: Does she have a dream or goal for the coming year? Let them know you’re there to support them in their dreams!

parent or mother friend

As parents, we definitely get by with a little (or a lot) of help from our friends. And so often we don’t get a chance to say “thank you” or tell them how much they mean to us. So, a grateful birthday wish for a mom friend is one of the most important ones to write! Thank you for being my friend no matter what, no matter when.

Couldn’t get through parenting without a friend like you!

So glad I have you to lighten the mother’s burden.

Happy Birthday to my dearest mother friend.

How many times have you saved my butt? Too many to count.

Keep killing this parenting thing, [Christina].

(parenting/motherhood) is easier with a friend like you by my side.

work friend

Colleagues often become more like a “working family”. They share our time, our break room, our smiles and grins. Close or casual, here are some ideas for writing a birthday wish for a work friend. Thank you for being my contact person!

I’m not sure I could survive [job name] without you!

I’m so glad we’re in this together.

You are my favorite part when I go to work.

When you’re with yourself, weekdays feel less like workdays.

Thank you for all the ways you make the workday go by faster!

You bring so much happiness to [job name] and we are lucky to have you.

Thank you for making my job easier with laughter.

[Kim] you do work a lot less like work. Thank you for everything you do!

Complicated relationship

Meaningful contact can tend to fall by the wayside. So we’ve come up with 25 ways you can celebrate your friends and friendship, not just on International Friendship Day, but any day of the year:

1. Plan a special day with your friend. Contact your partner and arrange for him to take care of the children so you can really surprise and spoil your boyfriend. Maybe you’re going for a long walk followed by coffee and cake, or a trip to the cinema, or an art gallery, or, say, indoor climbing or scuba diving… Whatever gets your (or her) fancy, just make sure it’s there one is day you two are together.

2. Write a letter to your friend. If, like me, you spent most of your class at school writing secret letters to your friends, then you’re probably as mourning the demise of letter-writing as I am. I recently sent a friend a letter on the arrival of her second child – not a card but a letter (I prefer it!) – and she admitted she was genuinely surprised that I “had found so much to say”! Maps are useful, but they mean we’re giving away a lot of the emotion choices to the map companies. Letter writing is a chance for you to put into words why your friend is special, what they mean to you and share a funny story or two. If a real letter is missing (but imagine her face if it falls out between the bills and statements!), send an email.

3. Reach out to a friend in need. A friend recently told you that a mutual friend was really struggling because her father died at the same time her partner was taking on more work and she was basically raising her alone. They were shocked and vowed to pick up the phone. But the weeks and months went by and then you met her in a supermarket and shared a big, tearful, messy hug with you in the frozen food aisle and thought, “I wish I could have reached her sooner.” This happened to me not long ago, and I’ve made a mental commitment to make that call as soon as I hear the news. So you can help when it is really needed.

4. Go through your inbox and reply to messages from friends who have cared about you for months. Ever since Hotmail introduced those red flag icons to mark an important email that absolutely needs a reply, I’ve now had a mess of them at the top of my personal inbox. Emails from friends with meetup dates I didn’t get around to checking, nice photos of friends’ kids, emails from old friends I haven’t spoken to in ages… Take an hour, where you tackle them all, one at a time. The sense of release from nagging guilt to a loving realization of connectedness makes it totally worth it.

5. Visit an old hangout together. There’s undoubtedly a place you’ve gone to every time you’ve met. For one of my friends, it’s a shabby, greasy spoon in our hometown where we used to wait for our photos to be developed in Boots. At another, it’s Pizza Express, a place I wouldn’t normally venture outside of our friendship. Why not revisit these ancient places for a journey back in time? It’s amazing the stories and laughs evoked by familiar places. Don’t forget to bring your camera! Comparing photos of yourself alongside local landmarks then and now is also a nostalgic treat.

6. Send your friend an old photo of the two of you. Browsing through that box of old photos always results in some hilarious moments where you both thought you were at the forefront of fashion and nobody was as cool and street as you. Old photos are treasures of a bygone era and deserve to be shared instead of simmering in drawers or the attic. Discover some classics, scan them and email them to your girlfriend today – I bet you can almost hear her laughing!

7. Give your friend a non-binding voucher. When a friend does us a favor, it can make us afraid that we will have to return the favor. Especially concerned if we can’t predict when we’ll be incorporating it for the foreseeable future. Why not give your girlfriend a coupon this World Friendship Day – you could offer her to take her kids over for the afternoon so she can hang out with her partner, or make some extra food so she can take the evening off to make food – and offer it as a totally no-obligation gift simply because you love her. Such altruistic giving also frees you from expectations and allows you to nurture your friend in a fully present and loving way.

8. Review your journal for the past six months. How often have you seen your friends or taken time out to communicate on the phone? Make a pact with yourself to prioritize friendship in the coming months – you could set aside specific days to engage with friends in some way. Or maybe you’re an all-or-nothing type: why not do a friendship week where you spend as much time as possible with beloved friends? You’ll likely emerge supercharged from so much connectivity. When you emerge exhausted from the company of certain friends on the other side, it’s time for a Lifewash (see 18). Ultimately, however, you’ll be better able to see which friendships are nurtured and which aren’t.

9. Clean up your Facebook or social media page. If you’re one of those people with about 500 “friends” on Facebook, maybe it’s time to do a purge. I have a rule that if I wasn’t crossing the room to say hi and have a chat with a person when I saw them walking, they’re not a friend. Say goodbye to the friends of friends you once had a drunken chat with and the people from school you don’t really remember. Use the modern phenomenon of social media to your advantage by only connecting with real friends. That way, you’ll feel happier about the information that’s being shared and it becomes more like a casual chat with people you know and trust. With this in mind, also check your privacy settings. Only share photos, events and everyday thoughts with people you would share these things with in “real life”.

10. Make new friends by joining a club. We go through different phases of our lives and often come to a point where we have outgrown certain friendships. If you’ve started a new chapter, moved to a new place, or just feel like you could use more friends to share things with, one way to meet new like-minded people is to join a club or group. Far from being just for retirees, interesting groups are springing up everywhere, covering many different areas, from transitional city movements to allotment groups to reading and craft meetings. Look for listings online or in your local paper – if you can’t find anything, you may want to set one up yourself. Start small, meet in each other’s living rooms, and as you grow you might consider renting a local space, such as the B. at the top of a craft store, or village halls often offer cheap prices.

11. Book a break to see friends. When saying goodbye to your friend before she moves to Berlin with her family, she asks you: “Come by – take a vacation!”. You say you will but never quite get to it. Think of the friends you wanted to reconnect with; at the risk of sounding mercenary, is there holiday potential in a catch-up?! We have friends in the New Forest and are taking a little break to visit them, staying with them for some time and in local accommodation so we don’t exceed our welcome! If you always offer accommodation to friends coming from overseas or another country, it usually works the other way around too. Think of it as a sort of home swap with the added bonus of hanging out with good buddies.

12. Bake a batch of cakes and invite friends to share. Who can resist a cup of cake and coffee? There’s nothing quite like hanging out with friends over a beer and a piece of something delicious. Better yet, raise money for charity by hosting a bake sale — if all the baking is a bit too much for just one, get everyone to bring a cake.

13. Host a monthly gathering at each other’s homes. If you have a regular gathering with a group of friends, you’re more likely to stick to it. It might have to be every two months if you’re all busy, but arranging the meeting for the second Saturday of the month, for example, will give you something to look forward to and make sure you keep in touch with friends. It also means you take turns hosting/cooking etc rather than one friend always having the others with them. When cooking a big meal seems like too much work in an already busy day, turn it into an evening of cocktails or drinks and nibbles.

14. Plan an informal picnic with friends. I know someone who hosts a picnic for friends and friends of friends in a London park every year and I always thought what a lovely way to bring people together. Hosting a picnic relieves you of the duty of hosting the big ones, instead you get everyone to bring a dish. When feasting outdoors, the children can move freely and you have time to exchange ideas.

15. Play a friend matchmaker! Do you have two friends you really should meet? Every time you’re with them, can’t you get over how alike they are? They even look the same! Why not arrange a meeting in a low key way, by casually arranging a date at a cafe in a park, for example. So if they get stuck, no one has to “make it work” and can exit without a fuss. Don’t raise everyone’s expectations by saying, “Oh, you need to meet up with so-and-so, you two are like two peas in a pod!”, make it seem a bit more casual. The joy of seeing them get along well is wonderful, as is the contribution to building a friendship that could last a lifetime. On the other hand, if you get it completely wrong, at least you can finally let go of that inner voice reminding you of their similarities!

16. Make a friendship bracelet. Who can resist the charm of a homemade gift? It doesn’t have to be a friendship bracelet, but there’s something pleasantly Old Skool about a gift like this! I decided last year to just craft my friends birthday presents and it worked out quite well since I’m really into knitting (although what my friend who lives in Australia does with her wrist warmers is unclear). It won’t necessarily save you a lot of money since you’ll end up having to buy all the odds and ends for your particular craft, but a homemade gift shows that you’ve taken the time to really honor that friend.

17. Are you looking for new and exciting ways to spend time with friends? Sometimes when we get together with an old and familiar group it can be all too easy to fall into the habit of whining about this and that, or just leaving feeling not really connected. Why not start a group with your friends – you could do a reading or writing group, gardening, wine tasting, crafting, painting, cooking, watching movies, whatever takes your fancy! You will discover new things about each other and give your friendship a kick.

18. Is it time to clean up a friendship? We tend to form friendships because of circumstances, and some of them outgrow their meaning in our lives. As one of my closest friends always quotes, we have friends for a reason, friends for a season and friends for life. Be careful who you give your energy to. Do the friends you see regularly make you feel good about yourself and your life choices? If you think it’s time to re-evaluate your friendship groups, you need to carefully rid yourself of the ones you don’t meet. Be gentle, be kind, and focus your thoughts on where you want to be. Most friendships will unravel naturally if you allow them to, and in a year or so you’ll be wondering what you were worrying about. Like a moth to a flame, we come back to some friendships over and over again, even if they make us feel bad. Time for a look in the mirror. What do we not accept or love about ourselves? When we truly accept and love ourselves, we attract people who do the same.

19. Do you know what’s really going on in your friend’s life? Does she/he know what’s going on with you? If you’re bypassing things because you’re in a hurry and the kids are distracting you, or you’ve been disconnected for so long that it’s hard to get back in, then next time really make time to listen to your friend are together. Make eye contact, repeat what s/he said to make sure you got it right, and resist the urge to always offer advice. Most of the time, just being listened to is enough.

20. Be the kind of friend you would like to have. If you find people dropping out of your life or you don’t make strong connections easily, it might be time to rethink what you’re spending. When you love yourself, people are attracted to love you. Conversely, if you’re prone to negativity, people may avoid spending time with you because they don’t want to be drawn into that vibe. Confronting yourself is never easy or comfortable, but it can open up the potential for change and invite exciting, uplifting new friendships. If you’re about to rant about how crappy things are right now, stop and think about the kind of friendship experience you want. Laughter, shared warmth, kindness, awareness? Make it possible by giving it away.

21. Release judgment. Just because your friend has a different relationship with their partner than you or they make different parenting choices doesn’t mean neither of you is necessarily right or wrong. Let go of the idea that in order to be friends we have to be the same: celebrate your differences by choosing to have a night out together, and find out something new about your friend and yourself to boot. Avoid topics that make you both see red, there’s no point rehashing old arguments when you know you have different opinions. Some friendships help us grow by challenging our long-held assumptions. When you walk out of a meeting with a friend and think, “Huh! What does she know about my life!’, try to turn it around and see the wisdom in her mind, or see the world through her eyes. Friendships give us access to new ways of thinking, seeing and being if we let them.

22. Never gossip about your friends. We all did it, even if it was just a joke. But imagine how it would feel if you heard your friend speak disparagingly of you and roll their eyes at your flaws…NOT good. In most friendship groups there will be someone who is prone to gossiping, avoid falling into the trap of changing the subject every time she starts telling a story until she gets the message.

23. Help your friend’s business. Suppose your friend has just opened a cake baking business or is launching her web-based networking site. Do whatever you can to help, from baking a cake to emailing flyers for them. Watching a friend get her business off the ground is exciting and offers great learning potential for beginners. There’s also a sense of sisterhood in growing businesses led by women. I helped a friend start her massage business many years ago and within a few years I was taking on her maternity leave. It was a fantastic opportunity for me to get my foot in the door and because I had seen all the behind the scenes activity I was able to start my own business a year later.

24. Mark special events in your friend’s life. It means so much when a friend remembers the anniversary of a family’s death and sends a message or an email. Or when they remember your wedding day or children’s birthday party. If you’re always forgetting dates, start the year with good resolutions by setting reminders on your phone or (and I love that option!) get one of those old-fashioned birthday books. Even if you never get a single card back (and let’s face it, in a busy life that’s often a possibility), you have that nice, warm glow when you pick and send a card, and hold your friend in your heart as they write.

25. Be your own best friend. You know the old saying: no one can love you until you love yourself. Take the time to nurture and nurture yourself as you would a very special friend. Ask yourself, “What do you want to do today?” and then put it into action. No evil inner thoughts, no negative belittling, no cursing for mistakes: spend a whole day—and gradually stretch into a whole life—talking to yourself as if you were talking to a friend. YES, the dress suits you!! YES, you can hang out on the sofa and take a nap, you’re exhausted. YES, let’s go to a totally fun and different place today!

It’s one thing to say you’ll be friends for life and another to actually do it. Here’s how, according to experts, you can maintain a lifelong friendship.

With things like social media and texting, it doesn’t seem like maintaining close friendships should be difficult. But as many of us know, that’s far from reality. I recently had dinner with one of my best friends after making plans for over a year and canceling at the last minute. It became such a thing with us that her boyfriend called us the craziest people he knew.

The truth is, he wasn’t entirely wrong. After all, we live about 10 minutes apart. Unless we have canceled plans for valid reasons, such as B. super tired or busy, we were open about just being too lazy to hang out. If it had been anyone else in the world, this back and forth cycle of whether we get together or not would have bothered me… a lot. No one has time for that, and my friend would probably say the same thing.

But when you’ve been friends with someone for 13+ years, you make the decision to keep them in your life no matter what.

As we celebrated our 10th anniversary of friendship, we decided that despite our many mistakes, we would likely remain friends for the rest of our lives.

Maintaining a lifelong friendship is not easy. In fact, a 2009 Dutch study found that a large majority of friendships only last around seven years. Like any relationship, friendships take work if you want them to last. So we asked a group of experts what they think is the most important thing in making friendships last a lifetime. Here’s what they said.

1 Have open communication

“A lifetime friendship depends on a million factors, and no two friendships are the same, but there’s one key thing that all ride-or-die friendships have in common—crystal clear communication,” says Lori Harder, author of A Tribe Called Bliss and host of the Earn Your Happy podcast, said HelloGiggles.

To be in a friendship for life, you need to know that you and your BFF will not be the same people over the years. You will not have a successful relationship without talking about your needs, desires, and expectations. They need to discuss problems and forgive each other when misunderstandings arise. As we all know, misunderstandings can happen.

The story goes on

“Understand that you both have the power to share your feelings to find a compromise,” Harder said. “When you and your best friend are both constantly communicating that you are determined to speak up and you have the best of intentions for each other and for the friendship no matter what, then you have the keys to a rocking chair, good ol’ day storytelling of friendship.” for life.”

Who does not want that?

2 Do not judge one another

“Women want to share a friendship with other girlfriends in a ‘judgment-free’ zone,” said Licensed Professional Counselor Deborah A. Olson, M.A. “Women in their 20s to 80s want the freedom to be authentically themselves in their friendships without fear of being judged. This provides a solid foundation for the friendship to grow, thrive and become an everlasting and lasting friendship.”

You may not agree with all of your friend’s life choices, and that’s totally okay. But if you want to be friends with someone for life, you have to accept your friend for who they are and love them for it. No one wants to be friends with someone who only judges or criticizes them. Keep it non-judgmental.

3 Be a good listener

“I think the most important thing that keeps friendships is listening,” Carolyn Birsky, a certified life coach, told HelloGiggles. “It may sound simple, but one of the most important parts of a friendship is feeling heard. You go to your friends to discuss things because you know they will listen.”

When you show up regularly and give your friends the safe space they need to let it all out, you’re showing them how much you care about them. Sometimes you don’t have to say anything. All you have to do is listen, be fully present and just be there for her. As Birsky said, “People seek people who make them feel heard and want to keep those people in their lives.”

4 Be consistent

“I think consistent effort is the most important thing that makes a friendship last a lifetime,” Nicole Zangara, LCSW, author of Surviving Female Friendships: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly, told HelloGiggles. “If you both make an effort, and do it on a consistent basis, this friendship will last.”

Friendships are like any relationship. If you’re dating someone and they’re in and out of your life inconsistently, you won’t be happy. If someone only shows up when it’s convenient for them, it shows you that they don’t value you as much as you value them. It takes more than just you alone to sustain a friendship over the long term. So if your boyfriend puts as much effort into the relationship as you do, your relationship will stay strong.

5 Keep in touch

One of the easiest yet somehow hardest things in a friendship is just staying in touch, said Licensed Professional Counselor Kailee Place. “Distance, life, time – it will all happen. Keeping tabs on your friends by asking about their lives or telling them about yours is key to maintaining a friendship.”

Everyone is busy. We all have responsibilities and things we need to get done. But how hard is it to send a quick text message or make a phone call every once in a while? “Anything that keeps that connection fresh and lasting works wonders when it comes to keeping a friend for life,” she says. “Just take 10 minutes to make the effort and show a person you care. Who doesn’t love to worry?”

Throughout your life people will come and go. But if you are lucky, you will find a select few who will be there for you in the long term. If you want your BFFs to stay in your life, you have to make the decision to keep them in your life. Maintaining a lifelong friendship isn’t easy, but you can do it.

Sometimes it’s possible to stay friends for life and sometimes it’s not. Over time, your interests, activities, and outlook on life will change, and so will your friends! For a friendship to last, you have to be willing to adapt and make an effort. Here are some ideas on how to make your friendships last!

Let the friendship adapt to changes

Are you willing to see your boyfriend less often if you stop attending the same school or one of you moves? Are you okay with your boyfriend having a boyfriend or girlfriend or making new friends? All of these factors can test the strength of a relationship!

Keep the friendship fair

Each person should be equally important in the relationship. In a healthy friendship, everyone listens to the other and expresses themselves. Everyone has a place!

Respect each other

Accept your friend for who he/she is, support each other in hard times, and don’t talk about him/her behind his/her back. When each person in the relationship feels safe, valued, and confident, your friendship will have a better chance of lasting!

Be authentic and tell the truth

It takes courage, but remember that everyone makes mistakes in life. True friends are often able to accept and excuse each other’s faults, weaknesses, and mistakes. On the other hand, lies destroy trust and friendships.

Communicate

Sometimes two friends can be driven apart by a simple misunderstanding. If you feel like you and your friend are growing apart, talk to him/her to find out what’s going on.

Resolve conflicts and talk about uncomfortable situations

There are always problems in a friendship. Talk about it together to find solutions. If either of you tends to run away or sulk when a conflict arises, you risk your friendship collapsing and being lost.

Accept that the intensity of your friendship can change

You can see certain friends more or less often at certain times. This is normal and doesn’t mean the friendship is over. You and your boyfriend are likely to get back together later, when either of you has more free time or your activities bring you closer again.

Take a break

You or your friend may also need to step back and take a break. These times can be difficult, but they are necessary for the friendship to survive.

Of course, one of you may have to end the relationship entirely. If that happens, it will probably be difficult for both of you. Losing a friend can be as hard as breaking up with your boyfriend or girlfriend! If so, talk to your parents or another adult you trust.

Throughout childhood, your friendships play a very important role in shaping who you become. As we approach young adulthood, most of us believe that our friends will be in our lives forever. We envision having a double wedding, raising our kids together, and buying houses across the street. Unfortunately, the reality is that people leave our lives as we get older. We move away and lose contact with people. Our friendships are limited to the annual “Happy Birthday” messages on Facebook.

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Perhaps you have already noticed this in your life. It may seem sad at first, but that’s normal. Growing up means that new life events and even romantic relationships become more important. But don’t worry, true friendships will stand the test of time. True friendships will stay with you as your life changes.

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“A friend is someone who knows you as you are, understands where you have been, accepts what you have become, and yet gently allows you to grow.” – Attributed to William Shakespeare

When we are young we spend a lot of time with our friends. But as we approach adulthood, we tend to prioritize our family and love partners more. In these types of relationships, we have set expectations. We see our partners every morning and evening, maybe even text each other all day. We make it a point to speak to our families often and to visit them on weekends and holidays. But what about the friendship?

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Well, friendships tend to be less structured than family and romantic relationships. For example, we could go months on end without speaking to a friend. This is especially true as we age and our personal and professional lives become busier and more demanding. Most of us would never do this with our significant other or with our family. We have stricter rules of conduct when it comes to these people. According to William Rawlins, professor of interpersonal communication at Ohio University, friendship gives us “someone to talk to, someone to count on, and someone to enjoy. Those expectations remain the same, but the circumstances under which they are met are changing.”

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“I never had friends like I did when I was 12.” – from the film Stand by Me

We grow up and childhood becomes adulthood. This is a fact of life. Some of us move away, go to college, get married, have children, start careers, or all together. We don’t have the free time to just show up at our friend’s house with a kickball and ask to play like we used to. The demands of our personal life become more urgent than the demands of friendship. When choosing between family dinner and drinks with a friend, most of us choose dinner. Communication in our friendships is becoming rarer. Occasionally we find ourselves trying to find time in time to see our friends. “Are you available for a quick cup of coffee on the 20th?”

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Interestingly, this all changes as we get older and enter our senior years. With retirement and an empty nest, the later years of adulthood give us more free time. We reunite with old friends and try to increase our happiness in our final years. We want to spend as much time as possible with our loved ones during our lifetime.

“A strong friendship doesn’t need daily conversation or being together. As long as the relationship lives in the heart, true friends never part.” – Anonymous

Despite the changing dynamics of our lives as we move through adulthood, some people remain friends for life. Because the expectations we have of friendship are lower than the expectations we have of our other relationships, friendship becomes more flexible. Our friends also go through changing demands in their lives. True friends recognize this and tend to be more forgiving of those long gaps in communication. True friends understand the obstacles that life throws in their way. Another secret to these lifelong friendships is to devote effort and commitment to each other to your friends over time. The keyword here is: mutual. No one wants to sustain a friendship into adulthood that doesn’t reciprocate efforts.

Who doesn’t love celebrating their best friend’s birthday? You can shower your favorite person with lots of love and attention AND you can enjoy some cake. Win. Of course, as a best friend, it’s part of your civic duty to post an Instagram tribute that makes you both look good and come up with the perfect caption celebrating their special day. If you don’t know what to write, we’ve rounded up some special best friend birthday quotes and lettering ideas to get you started. And even if you’re not particularly fond of posting on social media, these all also work as birthday wishes to write on your card (or text, if we’re being honest).

From funny birthday messages about growing old together to touching words that let them know how much they mean to you, your best friend is sure to appreciate these birthday wishes. And of course, you probably want to give your best friend a gift to celebrate her big day too. We have too many gift ideas to make them cry or say “ILY” even if you can’t be there in person to celebrate their big day.

Without further ado, keep scrolling for the best birthday wishes to send to your best friend this year, whether you put them in an Instagram caption, text, or a card.

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Funny birthday messages for a best friend

To quote the wise poet 50 Cent, “We’ll celebrate like it’s your birthday.”

You don’t get older, you level up!

Happy Birthday! I hope you are not looking for a gift because my presence is my gift to you.

Remember to smile awkwardly when everyone sings you “Happy Birthday” today!

I think you’re supposed to get finer and smarter with age? Well that’s okay, there’s always next year!

It’s not just birthday candles that will be lit this weekend!

I’m actually just here for the cake.

Best friends are great, especially yours. Happy Birthday!

I forgive you for being younger than me.

You’re another year older, but definitely not smarter.

Fun Fact: Birthdays are good for you! Statistics show that the more you have, the longer you live.

Happy Birthday! You’re officially old enough to need retinol.

I am so happy that we are growing old together and that you have a head start.

Like a fine wine, it only gets better with age.

(For your 30th birthday) You’re still 20, but with 10 years of experience!

(Happy 30th Birthday) Happy Birthday to someone who’s officially 30, flirting and successful!

Happy Birthday to a dime who is in his prime!

As Drake would say, “YOLO.”

I love you even though you are a twin. Happy Birthday!

Congratulations to the person who is always there to help me write a risky text.

Congratulations to the person who taught me everything I know about skin care.

Let’s drink champagne and dance on the tables (until they ask us to leave the bar).

To quote Saweetie, “That’s my best friend.”

Because it’s your birthday, I’ll share my fries with you.

There’s nobody I’d rather bang Taylor Swift with all day and all night. Happy birthday to my favorite Swiftie.

Happy 25th Birthday! The teens on TikTok definitely think you’re geriatric now.

Touching birthday wishes for a best friend

John HowardGetty Images

Happy birthday to someone who makes the world a better, brighter place.

Here’s to many more birthday parties together.

Happy Birthday! I hope your day is as amazing and special as you are.

I send you so much love on your birthday.

I’m so happy that the universe brought us together and we became best friends. Happy Birthday!

On this day a very special person was born and I am infinitely grateful for that.

Best friends are the family you can choose and I’m so glad we chose each other. Happy birthday beautiful.

Happy Birthday! I wish you a day full of happiness and a year full of joy.

Sending you a birthday wish wrapped with all my love.

I hope you know how much you are loved today and every day. Happy Birthday!

Happy birthday to my favorite person in the world.

You have grown so much over the past year and I am so proud of you. Here’s to many more years of growing together.

You live your life in such a way that every day is worth celebrating. Happy birthday beautiful!

You are building a beautiful, meaningful life. Take time to enjoy it, today and every day.

It’s not about the years in your life, it’s about life in your years. Happy Birthday!

I hope you see yourself the way I see you: amazing, incredible, kind, smart, compassionate, funny and wonderful.

Your birthday is the first day of a new 365-day journey. Let’s cherish every moment!

They were so strong and so resilient in the face of a difficult year. To better days.

I’m so lucky that we got to grow up together. Happy birthday to my best friend since day one/preschool/middle school/etc.

Happy birthday to the girl who always has my back and is always there to pick me up when the going gets tough.

Nobody understands me like you. Happy Birthday to my best friend.

Unique birthday wishes for a best friend

Klaus Vedfelt Getty Images

My birthday wish for you is that your hangover isn’t too bad tomorrow.

I wish you a day that brings the same kind of happiness and joy that you bring to me!

I wish all your birthday wishes come true this year!

My birthday wish for you is that the drinks flow freely and that you find a hottie at the bar tonight!

I wish you a birthday party that is as fun as you are.

Wishing you to feel so loved and happy on your special day this year.

This year I want you to know how amazing and special you are.

I wish you a year full of joy and adventure!!!

My birthday wish is that this year you get all the best you deserve.

Birthday wishes for best friend with emojis

Happy birthday my beautiful 💕

Happy birthday to my favorite material girlllllll 🛍💅🏽 💇🏽‍♀️

Happy birthday to my best friend in the whole wide world 👭🏿 🌎

It’s your day! Shine bright like a diamond 💎 ✨

🎶 I don’t know about you, but I feel like 22 🎶

Cake 🎂✔️ Champagne 🍾✔️ Best Friend 👭🏾 ✔️

Happy Birthday! Here’s to many more adventures this year 🏖 🏔 ✈️ 🌃 🚲

On this day a queen was born 👑 👸🏽

Happy birthday to my favorite eldest 👵🏻 💀

Hope your birthday is as cool as you 🧊

Happy Birthday! 🥳 🎂🎊 🎉🎁

You age like a good wine 🍷

🎵 Baby you are fireworks 🎵 🎆

It took me 3️⃣5️⃣ years to look this damn good 🔥

Another year older, another year bo(u)lder 🗿

Just like your candles, you will be lit tonight 🕯️😜

Cheers to another year around the sun ☀️

Happy birthday to the girl who is just as wild and crazy as me 🤪😈

I hope your birthday is as amazing as you are❣️ 🎁

Happy Birthday! Now that we’re officially old, there’s no way I’m staying at your party after 9 👵🏾 🕘 😴

Happy birthday to someone who is truly out of this world 👽🪐 💫

Despite all the ups and downs, I’m so happy we have each other. 🎢 ⬆️ ⬇️

Short and sweet birthday wishes for best friend

Klaus Vedfelt Getty Images

Happy birthday to my favorite person.

My life would be shit without you.

Today is all about you.

I wish you a day as special and amazing as you!

Happy Birthday! I love you very much.

Life is more fun with you by my side.

Happy birthday to my absolutely amazing, irreplaceable bestie.

I may not be there in person, but I wish you a happy birthday anyway!

On another trip around the sun. Happy Birthday!

I wish you 24 hours of partying even though you deserve even more.

Let’s make this year’s birthday one for the record books.

I can’t wait to celebrate you guys all day long!

Happy birthday to my friend who is forever young at heart.

Birthdays are the world’s way of telling us to eat more cake.

I’m so happy to be a part of your life.

Every birthday is a gift in itself.

Birthdays give us a chance for a new beginning.

HBD to my best friend!

I wish you the best birthday ever!

There’s nobody like you Happy Birthday!

Partners may come and go, but best friends are forever. Happy Birthday to my best friend.

Happy Birthday to my best friend who brings out the best in me.

I hope your birthday is relaxed and peaceful just like you.

Jamie Ballard Jamie Ballard (she/she) is a freelance writer and editor covering news, lifestyle and entertainment topics including sex and relationships, television, film, books, health, pets, food and beverage, pop culture, shopping and more personal finance.

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Anyone who has ever written a birthday card knows that finding the right words can be difficult! Sometimes a handmade card with a heartfelt friendship quote or a sweet Valentine’s Day quote will do the trick. For some people, a simple birthday message text will suffice. But no matter what, sending sweet birthday wishes to your loved ones on their special day is a must. That’s where these short and sweet birthday wishes for friends come in.

See, sometimes you have so many things to say that you’re just not sure how to put it into words. Also, maybe you’re so busy planning your 50th birthday party or the best gift idea that you need a little help creating a birthday message. Do not worry! Whether you want to send your best friend something laughing, funny, heartfelt, or short and sweet, these birthday wishes and greetings are for you. The only thing they’ll love more than a message reminding them how much they mean to you is when you make them Ree Drummond’s fabulous Chocolate Birthday Cake Recipe, too! There’s no better way to celebrate the day than with a sweet treat to match your sweet birthday wishes for your best friend. And one of these great gifts for your best friend or a gift idea for her wouldn’t hurt either!

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Sweet birthday wishes for a best friend

Westend61 // Getty Images

Happy Birthday to the special person in the room!

Congratulations on another trip around the sun! I hope this day is filled with cake, memories and fun.

Happy birthday to the sweetest berry of the bunch!

I hope you know how much you are loved today, best friend!

I can’t wait to spend the night celebrating my favorite person! I adore you to the smallest detail!

Thank God my bestie was born today!

I wish you the best birthdays and another fantastic year with the sun by your side!

You are so loved today and every day. Happy Birthday!

I hope your birthday is as special as you, friend.

I can’t wait to celebrate you guys all day long!

I am so thankful to celebrate another birthday with you my best friend.

Here’s to the birthday queen/king today!

Ready to hit the town and let the world know it’s my best friend’s birthday!

HBD to my BFF for life I don’t know what I would do without you!

The world got a little better that day because my best friend was born!

Happy Birthday to a best friend like no other.

I hope you enjoy your special day and do whatever you want!

Today I’m shouting from the rooftops that it’s my best friend’s birthday, hooray!

Here’s to another year of friendship, laughter and doing nothing together! Happy Birthday!

Sending you so much love on your birthday BFF!

Meaningful birthday messages for a best friend

Klaus Vedfelt // Getty Images

I love you more than words can say. Thank you for being the best friend in the world.

I am so grateful that you came into my life when you did. Happy Birthday and I can’t wait to celebrate many more!

Your friendship is one of the most precious relationships in my life. I can’t wait to continue growing together.

I wish you the best birthday ever!

I hope you are having a great day today and the year ahead is filled with blessings.

Thank you for everything you have brought into my life. The happiest of all birthdays for my favorite friend.

Life is so much better with you in it. Happy birthday to the most deserving friend!

I’m so proud of you and everything you do. To the best friend in the world on your birthday!

Birthdays come once a year, but best friends come only once in a lifetime. I’m so happy to call you mine!

Thank you for always being by my side and having my back. I would do anything for you, especially today on your birthday!

I am so honored to call you my best friend. You deserve all the best that comes your way on your birthday and beyond.

Cheers to the brightest light of my life on your birthday!

I’m so lucky that we get to grow up side by side. Here’s to many more birthdays together!

I wish you all the happiness, joy and blessings the world can offer on your birthday.

We need more than one day to celebrate the best person in the world!

You are not only a best friend but also a true friend. Thank you for everything you do for me. I hope you have the happiest birthdays!

Thank you for always picking up the phone, giving the best hugs in the world, and supporting everything I do. Here is for you on your birthday best friend!

I send you endless love, joy and happiness on your birthday!

Today is my favorite day because it’s dedicated to my favorite person!

Funny birthday wishes for a best friend

Muslim Girl // Getty Images

If you grow old does that mean I am too?! Happy birthday, old hand!

Happy birthday, my forever young friend!

Happy Birthday aka All the cake you can eat day!

Here’s to another year of our silly shenanigans with my favorite person!

Don’t worry about lighting all the candles on your cake – I’ve already alerted the fire brigade!

Save me a piece of cake! Happy birthday, bestie!

You’re terrible about aging – can you at least *try* to look older?

Don’t forget to smile uncomfortably when everyone sings you Happy Birthday!

How many candles do we need on your birthday cake? 100? 200?

Don’t think of it as aging, consider it a classic!

Happy wine and cake day!

Happy Birthday! My amazing presence is your gift this year.

Who counts candles anymore? 😂 Happy Birthday!

Is this the year we decided we were too old for gifts? Never! Happy Birthday!

Don’t let age get you down! You won’t get up again!

Birthday quotes for a best friend

Prostock Studio // Getty Images

“Grow old with me! The best is yet to come.” – Robert Browning

“True friends are like diamonds – bright, beautiful, precious, and always stylish.” – Nicole Richie

“Anything is possible if you have the right people to support you.” – Misty Copeland

“The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is to celebrate in life.” – Oprah Winfrey

“Count your age by friends, not years. Count your life by smiles, not tears.” -John Lennon

“Another year is ending and another is beginning. May the year ahead be one filled with laughter from friends, love for family and the life you dream of.” – Catherine Pulsifer

“We don’t get older over the years, but newer every day.” -Emily Dickinson

“Every birthday is a gift. Every day is a gift.” – Aretha Franklin

Erin Cavoto Erin Cavoto is an editorial assistant at ThePioneerWoman.com covering food, vacations, home decor and more.

Mutual affection between people

“Kindness” redirects here. For the album, see Kindness (album)

Friendship is a relationship of mutual affection between people.[1] It is a stronger form of interpersonal bonding than an ‘acquaintance’ or ‘association’ such as B. a classmate, neighbor, colleague or colleague.

In some cultures, the concept of friendship is limited to a small number of very deep relationships; in others, such as the US and Canada, a person might have many friends, plus perhaps a more intense relationship with one or two people who might be considered good friends or best friends. Other slang terms include besties or best friends forever (BFFs). Although there are many forms of friendship, some of which may vary from place to place, many such bonds come with specific characteristics. These traits include choosing to be with one another, enjoying our time together, and being able to take on a positive and supportive role for one another.[2]

Sometimes friends are distinguished from family, as in the proverb “friends and family,” and sometimes from lovers (e.g., “lovers and friends”), although the line is blurred with friends with benefits. The friend zone is a place where someone is prevented from becoming a lover (see also unrequited love).

Friendship has been studied in academic fields such as communication, sociology, social psychology, anthropology, and philosophy. Various academic theories of friendship have been proposed, including social exchange theory, justice theory, relational dialectics, and attachment styles.

developmental psychology

childhood

Young childhood friends

Children’s understanding of friendship tends to focus more on areas such as shared activities, physical closeness, and shared expectations.[3]:498 [a] These friendships provide opportunities for play and exercise of self-regulation.[4]:246 Most children tend to tend to describe friendship in terms of things like sharing, and children are more likely to share with someone they consider a friend.[4]:246[5][6] As children grow older, they become less individualized and more aware of others. They gain the ability to empathize with their friends and enjoy playing in groups. They also experience rejection from their peers as they move through middle childhood. Making good friends at a young age will help a child become more socially accustomed later in life.[5]

Based on reports from teachers and mothers, 75% of preschoolers had at least one friend. This number rose to 78% by fifth grade, as measured by nomination as friends, and 55% had a mutual best friend.[4]:247 About 15% of the children were chronically unfriended and reported periods of mutually unfriended friends at least six months.[4]: 250

Potential benefits of friendship include an opportunity to learn about empathy and problem solving.[7] Parent coaching can be helpful in helping children make friends. Eileen Kennedy-Moore describes three main ingredients in forming friendships among children: (1) openness, (2) similarity, and (3) shared fun.[8][9][10] Parents can also help children understand social guidelines that they have not learned themselves.[11] Drawing on research by Robert Selman[12] and others, Kennedy-Moore outlines developmental stages in childhood friendships that reflect an increasing ability to understand others’ perspectives: “I Want It My Way”, “What’s In It For Me?”, “By the Rules”, “Caring and Sharing” and “Friends Through Thick and Thin”.[13]

youth

During puberty, friendships become “more giving, sharing, open-hearted, supportive, and spontaneous.” Adolescents tend to seek out peers who can provide such qualities in a reciprocal relationship and to avoid peers whose problematic behavior indicates they may not be able to meet these needs.[14] Personal traits and inclinations are also traits that young people look for when choosing who to begin a friendship with.[15] Relationships begin to focus on shared values, loyalty, and shared interests rather than physical concerns such as closeness and access to toys that more characterize childhood.[4]: 246

A study conducted at the University of Texas at Austin looked at over 9,000 American youth to determine how their involvement in problem behaviors (like stealing, fighting and truancy) related to their friendships. The results showed that teens were less likely to engage in problem behavior when their friends did well in school, participated in school activities, avoided drinking, and had good mental health. The opposite was found in adolescents who engaged in problem behavior. Whether adolescents were influenced by their friends to engage in problematic behavior depended on their exposure to those friends and whether they and their groups of friends “fitted” into the school.[16]

A study by researchers at Purdue University found that friendships formed during post-secondary education last longer than friendships formed earlier.[17] Interracial friendships tend to be uncommon in late adolescence, likely due to prejudice and cultural differences.[15]

adulthood

friendship in adulthood

Friendship between Jonathan and David from Friendship between Jonathan and David by Julius Schnorr von Karolsfeld (1860), which translates in English as

Two friends before posing for a photo.

Friendship in adulthood provides companionship, affection, and emotional support, and contributes positively to mental well-being and improved physical health.[18]: 426

Adults may find it particularly difficult to maintain meaningful friendships in the workplace. “The workplace can be sizzling with competition, so people learn to hide weaknesses and quirks from co-workers. Work friendships often take on a transactional feel; it’s hard to tell where networking ends and true friendship begins.”[19] Most adults value the financial security of their job more than friendship with co-workers.[20]

The majority of adults have, on average, two close friends.[21] Numerous adult studies suggest that friendships and other supportive relationships increase self-esteem.[22]

Older Adults

Older adults continue to report high levels of personal satisfaction with their friendships as they age, even though the overall number of friends tends to decrease. This satisfaction is associated with increased ability to perform activities of daily living, as well as less cognitive decline, fewer hospitalizations, and better rehabilitation outcomes.[18]: 427 The total number of reported friends in later life can through increased clarity, better speech and vision, and marital status.[23]:53 A decrease in the number of friends an individual has as they grow older has been explained by Carstensen’s theory of socioemotional selectivity, which indicates a change in describes motivation that adults experience when socializing. The theory states that advancing age is marked by a shift from information acquisition to emotional regulation; To sustain positive emotions, older adults limit their social groups to those with whom they share an emotional bond.[24]

As one review put it:

Research over the past four decades has now consistently found that older adults who report the highest levels of happiness and overall well-being also report strong, close bonds with numerous friends.[25]

As family commitments and work pressures ease, friendships become more important. In older people, friendships can provide connections to the larger community, act as a protective factor against depression and loneliness, and compensate for possible losses of social support from family members.[26]:32–33 Especially for people who cannot walk How often, interactions with friends allow a continuous social interaction. In addition, older adults with declining health who keep in touch with friends show improved psychological well-being.[27]

development problems

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) may have difficulty making and maintaining friendships due to a limited ability to build social skills through observational learning, difficulty paying attention to social cues, and due to the social effects of impulsive behavior and a greater tendency to conform Engage in behaviors that might be considered disruptive by their peers.[28][29] A 2007 review did not identify any treatment that was effective at addressing peer functioning in children with ADHD, and treatments that addressed other aspects of the disorder were not found to address issues related to peer functioning eliminate.[28]

autism

Certain symptoms of autism spectrum disorder can interfere with the formation of interpersonal relationships, such as: B. a preference for routine actions, resistance to change, obsession with particular interests or rituals, and a lack of social skills. It has been found that autistic children are more likely to be close friends of one person than to have groups of friends. They are also more likely to be close friends with other children with some type of disability.[30] A sense of parental attachment helps improve the quality of friendships in children with autism spectrum disorders; a sense of attachment to parents compensates for a lack of social skills that would normally inhibit friendships.[31]

A study by Frankel et al. showed that parental intervention and guidance play an important role in such children developing friendships.[32] In addition to parental intervention, school professionals play an important role in teaching social skills and interacting with peers. Paraprofessionals, particularly individual and classroom helpers, are often used with children with autism spectrum disorders to facilitate friendships and guide the child in making and maintaining meaningful friendships.[33]

Although education and training can help peers of children with autism, bullying is still a major problem in social settings. According to The New York Times’ Anahad O’Connor, bullying is most likely to occur against children with autism spectrum disorders, who have the greatest potential to live independently. Such children are more at risk because they have as many rituals and lack social skills as children who are more visibly autistic, but they are more likely to be accepted into school. Autistic children have greater difficulty paying attention to social cues and may not always recognize when they are being bullied.[34]

Down syndrom

Children with Down syndrome have increasing difficulty making friends. They experience a language delay, which makes it harder for them to play with other children. Most children with Down syndrome may prefer to watch other students and play with a friend rather than with them, largely because they understand more than they can outwardly express. During the preschool years, children with Down syndrome can benefit from the classroom environment, surrounded by other children and less dependent on adult help. Children with this disability benefit from a variety of interactions with adults and children. At school, maintaining an inclusive classroom environment can be difficult, but proximity to close friends can be critical to social development.[35][36]

Health

Studies have found that strong social support improves a person’s prospects for health and longevity. Conversely, loneliness and a lack of social support have been linked to increased risks of heart disease, viral infections, and cancer, as well as higher overall mortality rates. Two researchers have even called friendship networks a “behavioural vaccine” that promotes both physical and mental health.[37]

There is a large body of research linking friendship and health, but the exact reasons for the link remain unclear. Most studies in this area are large prospective studies that track people over time, and while there may be a correlation between the two variables (friendship and health status), researchers still don’t know if there’s a cause-and-effect relationship. relationship, such as the idea that good friendships actually improve health. A number of theories have attempted to explain this relationship. These theories include that good friends encourage their friends to lead healthier lifestyles; that good friends encourage their friends to seek help and access services when needed; that good friends improve their friends’ coping skills with illness and other health problems; and that good friends actually influence physiological pathways that protect health.[38]

Mental health

The lack of friendship has been found to play a role in increasing the risk of suicidal thoughts in female adolescents, including having more friends who were not themselves friends. However, no similar effect was observed in men.[39][40] Having few or no friends is an important indicator in the diagnosis of a number of mental disorders.[14]

Higher friendship quality directly contributes to self-esteem, self-confidence, and social development.[22] A World Happiness Database study found that people with close friendships are happier, although the absolute number of friends did not increase happiness.[41] Other studies suggest that children with quality friendships may be protected from developing certain disorders, such as anxiety and depression.[42][43] Conversely, low friendship levels are associated with dropping out of school, aggression, and adult delinquency.[3]:500 Peer rejection is also associated with lower later aspirations in the workplace and participation in social activities, while higher levels of friendship were with a associated with higher self-esteem in adults.[3]: 500-01

resolution

The dissolution of a friendship can be viewed as personal rejection or it can be the result of natural changes over time as friends grow distant, both physically and emotionally. The breaking up of friendships is associated with increased feelings of guilt, anger and depression and can be very distressing events, especially in childhood. However, possible negative effects can be mitigated if the dissolution of a friendship is replaced by another close relationship.[4]: 248

demographics

Friends tend to be more similar in terms of age, gender, behavior, substance abuse, personal predispositions, and academic achievement.[4]:248[18]:426[25]:55–56 There is ample evidence that children and adolescents do this tend to form friendships with others of the same race or ethnicity, beginning in preschool age and culminating in middle or late childhood.[4]: 264

gender differences

In general, female-to-child interactions tend to focus on interpersonal connections and mutual support. In contrast, male-male interaction focuses more on social status. As a result, they may actively discourage expressing emotional needs.[44]: 320–02

Women report more anxiety, jealousy, and victimization in relationships and less stability in their friendships. Men, on the other hand, report higher levels of physical victimization. Still, men and women tend to be relatively content with their friendships.[4]: 249–50

Women tend to be more expressive and intimate in their same-sex friendships and have fewer friends.[15] Men tend to define intimacy as shared physical experiences. In contrast, women tend to define it in common emotional terms. Men are less likely to make emotional or personal disclosures to other men because they could use that information against them. However, they pass this information on to women (since they are not in competition with them), and men tend to view friendships with women as more meaningful, intimate, and enjoyable. Male-male friendships are generally more like alliances, while female-female friendships are much more bond-based. As a result, it also means that the ending of male-male friendships is less emotionally upsetting than that of female-female friendships.[45][46]

Among older adults, women tend to be more socially adept than their male peers. As a result, many older men may rely on a female companion, e.g. a spouse, to make up for their comparative lack of social skills.[25]:55 One study found that women in Europe and North America were slightly more likely than men to self-report having a best friend.[47]

Culture

What relationships qualify as genuine friendships rather than acquaintances or work colleagues varies across cultures. In English-speaking cultures, it is not uncommon for people to refer to weaker relationships as friends.[48] In other cultures, such as Russian and Polish cultures, only the most important relationships count as friends. A Russian might have a friend or two, plus a large number of “buddies” or acquaintances; a Canadian under similar circumstances might count all of these relationships as friends.[48]

In Western cultures, friendships are often viewed as less familial or romantic.[49]

When discussing taboos of friendship, it was noted that Chinese respondents found more than their British counterparts.[15][ambiguous]

interspecies

Friendship is found among animals with higher intelligence, such as higher mammals and some birds. Cross-species friendships are common between humans and pets. Cross-species friendships can also develop between two non-human animals, such as dogs and cats.

See also

Remarks

^ [3] : 498 Compared to older respondents who described friendships in terms of psychological rather than physical aspects.

references

Whether or not you’ve exchanged BFF necklaces, you may have a friend who you consider your “best friend.” But especially as you get older and have a range of life experiences, your relationships change and you can grow closer to other people. So how can you tell if someone is your best friend? HelloGiggles spoke to two friendship experts to get all the details on what makes a BFF. Because even if nobody asks who your BFF is anymore, you still want to confirm that your friendship is real.

Movies and TV have given us some great recent examples of BFFs, like the wives of Bridesmaids and Broad City. But even if these characters remind you of your best friend, your relationship is special and unique to both of you. So figuring out what makes a best friend best is less about specific experiences you have had with them and more about what you think about that friendship.

Both experts shared that having different best friends over the course of one’s life is more than normal. And Nelson even believes you can have more than one best friend at a time, telling HG, “I would say ‘the best’ is a quality of relationship, not quantity of relationship.” But if you look for signs, to help you identify your current bestie or your best friends, here are 22 ways to know your boyfriend is your best friend.

1You trust them.

“A best friend should be someone you’re not afraid of betrayal,” Bonior said. And that trust can range from your best friend keeping your secrets to always-appearing lunch dates. “There’s not that nervousness that if you reveal something, it will be passed on to others. If you said you’re going to meet somewhere, there’s not that uncertainty as to whether or not that person is going to show up,” Bonior said.

2And they trust you.

Bonior also pointed out that trust in friendship must go both ways. Your best friend needs to trust you as much as you trust him. Otherwise, you’re not really her best friend, are you?

3There is a consistency that matches your friendship.

Nelson said she evaluates the health of a friendship in three ways: consistent interaction, vulnerable sharing, and positive feelings. When it comes to “consistent engagement,” you might think you can’t be friends with people you don’t see constantly. But if your best friend lives in a different state or even a different country, don’t worry.

“I have some friends where continuity means we only talk on the phone every three months or only see each other once a year. But there still has to be that sense of consistency. We both need to believe that the other person is still in our lives. Consistency means we expect to pick that up again,” Nelson said.

With a newer best friend, Nelson said, you need to invest more time because it’s not built in. “When we form relationships, research shows it takes us nearly 180 hours before we feel close to someone. That’s why we feel closer to people we met in college or who we worked with because those hours logged in for us pretty quickly. So consistency is really, really crucial in building a friendship,” Nelson said.

Whether you’ve been best friends since elementary school or your best friend has come into your life in recent years, you want your hangout schedule to stay true to both of you. “In order for us to feel safe and to feel that they can count on that person, we still need to have a pattern that feels comfortable and familiar in our relationship where we believe we can reach that person,” said Nelson.

4You interact with them in many ways.

Nelson’s idea of ​​”constant interaction” is about more than frequent interactions over the course of your relationship. “This includes being able to communicate in a variety of ways,” Nelson said. “Our friendships go deeper when we don’t just interact on Facebook or just interact in person. Anything that improves the way we conduct consistent interactions is a way of measuring the depth of a relationship.” So if you always feel like texting your boyfriend or calling him out of the blue, he might be yours be best friend

5You are vulnerable with one another.

Both Nelson and Bonior addressed the importance of vulnerability in a best friendship. Nelson noted, “The more we know about each other, the more secure we feel after we’ve shown each other, the more things we’ve been through together, the more we’ve seen each other in different ways,” the closer we are. “When we’re looking for people who will be our ‘best’ friends, we’re looking for people with whom we share many different sides of ourselves and practice sharing vulnerable feelings, ideas, and thoughts with them. ”

Bonior added: “There has to be a certain vulnerability between one another – being willing to open up to that person and know that they have your back. That has to be the most important thing. You show them parts of yourself that you might not show other people—and they still love you.”

6They really know you and *understand* you.

Because you’re open and vulnerable with your BFF, they might know you on a deeper level. “They understand you in a way that your other friends might not understand,” Bonior said.

This is especially important in the age of social media, where people are only allowed to share the positive things that are happening in their lives. “They really understand you. It’s not just superficial, not just pretending who you are on social media. That’s you even in your worst phase,” said Bonior.

7You feel seen by them.

Nelson defines close friendship – or “friendship” – as “any relationship between two people in which both feel safe and satisfied.” Much like a best friend really gets you, Nelson noted that she believes being seen is of the utmost importance. “Most of us just want friends who will see us and validate us and believe in us, and if we could do that for each other, we’ll probably be able to survive almost anything,” she said.

8You motivate each other.

Motivation comes in many forms, and your best friend should really inspire you to be your best self. “A best friend should be someone who makes you want to be a better person,” Bonior said. “They make you feel inspired and you inspire each other to do better. Maybe they live their lives in a way that motivates you. So that means that you really admire that person and they admire you. And that even though you show each other the most embarrassing parts of yourself, there’s overall respect.”

9You tell them things first.

Imagine something happened to you at work – maybe you got a raise or you had a disagreement with your boss. In the words of the Ghostbusters, who are you calling? According to Bonior, the answer is your beast.

“Your best friend should be someone you want to call immediately if something happens to you – good or bad. You are first on this list. You want their opinion on things and you want their understanding of things,” said Bonior. While your parents, siblings, or significant other are also high on this list, your best friend is high with them. And even if it’s not a phone call per se, share your news with them one way or another.

10They are for the good and the bad.

Bonior noted that your best friend is someone you share all your news with, while other friends may only be there for you at certain times. “We all have a friend who can feel sorry for the best of them. But when you have good news, they’re not so happy for you because they’d rather sympathize. Or the person who likes to cheer you on and have conversations about positive things but doesn’t want to hear it when you might be struggling,” she said. “I think a true best friend should be someone you want to share — good news or bad news — with.” And when you share, they’ll be there to listen.

11They share the same values.

It’s good to be friends with people who have different perspectives and backgrounds, but Bonior also believes that having “the same values ​​in life” contributes to the best friendship. “You don’t have to be exactly like the person,” Bonior said. “But you have to have enough similarities that make you want to do at least some of the same things. And that you find some of the same things important – whether it’s the way you spend your time, hobbies or values. I think there has to be some overlap.” Finally, how they became friends in the first place is probably a commonality.

12You find ways to connect even when you are at different stages in life.

Just because you have similar values ​​doesn’t mean your life is the same. “Ultimately, if we want our friendships to survive and have a history, we have to get comfortable with saying, ‘Our job isn’t to have the same experiences,'” Nelson said. She notes that people in great friendships don’t have to have certain things in common, like age, political views, or even life events. But what’s important in these cases is staying in touch and staying connected through the different experiences.

According to Nelson, if your friend has become a mother and you don’t have children, you can ask questions like, “How does it feel to be a mother? How is it different than what you expected? What was the hardest part? What should our friendship be like now?” She mentioned that this is an example of practicing “active vulnerability”.

13Ye affirm one another.

Even if you don’t have a shared experience with a friend, Nelson explained how you can create “positive feelings.” She set an example that she’s not a mother, but she shows positive support for her friends who are. “I send Mother’s Day cards to my friends who are mothers every year and I just say, ‘I love what an amazing mother you are. That’s one of the things I admire about you. I love how you do it. I’m cheering you on,’” Nelson said. “So they don’t both have to be moms, but what they need is not to feel like this is a taboo subject or that I’m not interested or that I don’t know how hard it is. Boost positivity and increase sharing. Affirm them, point out things you see in them, ask questions. Anything you can do to not make this topic taboo and be proud of it in your life.”

The same applies if your friend has another focus in her life, such as work or dating. “We both have our stuff and that’s okay. We just have to use this as an opportunity to get to know each other in this new way,” added Nelson.

14You have tried to be friends.

Both Bonior and Nelson mentioned that life transitions can threaten a friendship. But a best friendship can endure these changes if you strive to maintain and grow them. “You must be prepared that a life change will change your friendship and require more effort. Maybe it used to be that you always saw each other the same way and you have to try harder to get together because it can’t be that spontaneous anymore,” said Bonior. “You have to be prepared and realistic that you have to put in extra effort. If both of you are willing to put in the effort, I think the friendship can grow.”

Nelson came back to her three main criteria for a good friendship when it comes to making an effort. “You don’t just meet someone and all three of those things are there right away,” she said. “Even the people that friendship seemed effortless with, you still had to build your own patterns, figure out what you’re going to do together, how often you’re going to do it together, get to know yourself. We still had to learn these things.”

While “trying” might make it seem like you’re trying too hard to make a friendship work, it can be a sign of how much you appreciate each other through life’s changes.

15There is an equal give and take.

“With best friends, reciprocity is important,” said Bonior. “It’s really important that both people are overall comfortable with the balance of giving and taking. Because if you give too much or get too much, that leads to resentment and frustration over time.” She clarified that there can be fluctuations, especially when you or your friend are going through a rough patch, but she said it was should “approximately even out over time”. Which makes sense since nobody wants to feel like their best friend is using them.

16It may feel like a marriage.

Sure, you may have joked about marrying your best friend, but Nelson likened the best of friendships to marriage because it’s something you have to work at. “With our closest friends, we will have gone through conflicts and disappointments together. It’s like a marriage,” Nelson said. “We don’t expect a marriage to be conflict-free. A healthier marriage means they handle and navigate conflict well — and that should be the same for our friendships.”

Nelson added, “We don’t model that well in our culture and we tend to just walk away when there’s drama or hurt feelings. But ideally, our closest friends should be the people we have those conversations with when we’re hurt, disappointed, or have unfulfilled expectations.”

17Or maybe even family.

“I think at some point friends can become family,” said Bonior. “Maybe you have a friend who is at such a different stage in life that if you had met him now you might not have had room for each other in your life because they are so different and you wouldn’t have crossed paths. But she noted that sharing a history keeps you connected like family — so feel confident when you stop by for Thanksgiving next year.

18You fight.

Just like with a spouse or family, you will struggle. And when you overcome these conflicts, it actually bodes really well for your friendship. “It’s not about not having the conflict, it’s about being able to communicate and process the conflict. It’s probably not the best of friendships if there’s never been any hurt feelings along the way, because two people will occasionally hurt each other even if they don’t mean to,” Bonior said.

The key, as the Beatles would say, is to work it out. “Well, in a good best friend you can talk about it and allow yourself to bring up difficult things. And you respect each other enough to know each other’s feelings and empathize and listen and try to find a way forward. A friendship that dies just because one person does something that offends the other person and now it’s over, that wasn’t a solid friendship to begin with,” Bonior added.

19You are ready to tell one another when you have been hurt.

It can be difficult to bring up when you’re hurt. “Sometimes there is a bit of awkwardness,” said Bonior. “You have to have a difficult conversation every once in a while because your friend is hurting you and you don’t want to rock the boat.” But when this is your best friend, you realize the importance of talking about it.

“I’ve seen a lot of friendships die because someone didn’t want to say their friend upset them, so they say nothing and swallow it for so long that the next moment they don’t like that friend anymore,” Bonior said. “But if they had said something a long time ago, then maybe the friend could have changed the path of friendship and things could have been saved.”

Nelson also mentioned the benefits of hashing. “Even conflict is an opportunity for us to learn more about the other person,” Nelson said. She added that the goal of friendships should be “to see our friendship in a way that doesn’t need the other person to reflect us — but to know us.”

20They may not always be there—and that’s okay.

Sometimes you have a dilemma that you want your BFF to get involved with, but maybe she’s a little too busy to give you the support you need. “There’s a whole range of reasons why our close friends can’t be there for us all the time, and it has nothing to do with them wanting to be malicious or let us down,” Nelson said, counting things like friends who getting married, having a baby, going on a business trip or caring for an aging parent. Just because your best friend might not be able to give you 100% support doesn’t mean they aren’t your bestie.

Nelson also suggested that you can spread responsibility for supportive friends. “When you’re frustrated that your friend isn’t ‘there for you’ as you would like, it’s often a sign that you should ask yourself, ‘Do I have enough friends in my life? “It’s often not that one friend’s fault that he’s not everything, and it’s often an invitation for us to make sure we build more support into our lives,” Nelson said. And a good best friend wouldn’t be threatened either.

21Friendship can sometimes take its toll on you.

Bonior mentioned that supporting your boyfriend might make you feel emotionally drained — but again, that doesn’t mean the end of a friendship. “If you feel drained every once in a while because your friend is going through a rough time, that’s fine,” Bonior said. However, she made it clear that this draining feeling shouldn’t be constant and if it is, you may need to rate the friendship. “If hanging out with that person is still chronically exhausting or you see it as a chore, that’s a sign it’s not a really good friendship,” she added. “There are some friends who complain about everything all the time, they take offense at everything and turn everything into drama — that’s not a good friend.”

22You enjoy spending time with them.

This may seem very simple, but it is actually one of the main factors in the best friendship. “One sign that’s often overlooked is that you like spending time with the person, that you look forward to it,” Bonior said.

“Research shows that to keep a relationship healthy, we need to have five positive interactions for every negative interaction,” Nelson added. “So we hope that with our closest, healthiest friendship, we’ll leave their presence after we’ve been validated, laugh, give gifts, be silly together, have moments of inspiration together — anything that leaves us feeling positive instead of feeling judged.” , competitive , or passive-aggressive.

by Chemmie Squier |

If, like me and most members of The Debrief team, the number of friends you have (or rather don’t have) is a source of anxiety, here’s a new study that will make you feel a lot worse about the situation. thanks science

According to a study published in Royal Society Open Science, in which research from Aalto and the University of Oxford analyzed the mobile phone records of 3.2 million users in Europe over a year and determined who they called, how often and for how long.

By examining calling patterns, they found that younger people have more “contacts” and that men have more than women until they are 39 years old, at which point women have more contacts. The researchers suspect that this could be due to interactions with their (now adult) children and other new or close family members.

Researchers said that “women in general seemed to be more focused on their social arrangements than men,” which was supported by other studies that found that “women appear to have a small number of extremely close same-sex friendships, while men do not (they usually have a larger number of casual same-sex friendships).

Crucially, the study found that the maximum number of “connections” for both men and women peaked around the age of 25. In other words, the number of friends (or “connections”) you had by age 25 is the highest you’ll ever have, and they’re all steadily decreasing for men and women then. That means it’s all downhill from here. Fantastic. Excellent. Let’s all just give up now, shall we?

Also, there seems to be a ‘plateau’ between the ages of 45 and 55 and a further decline after 55. They attributed these fingers to younger people who are typically “more socially promiscuous,” but as we get older we’re more likely to invest it in fewer but more meaningful relationships. They also found that the average number of contacts people “focus on their (phone-based) social efforts” each month is about 15 people.

Like this? You might also be interested in:

Follow Chemmie on Twitter @chemsquier

Let it go when it’s time

It is important to appreciate your good friends. If problems arise, let your friend know how much you care and want to listen to them. Then try to overcome the difficulties. This can provide an opportunity for both of you to connect and grow in your relationship. ‌

However, sometimes people grow apart. Good friends develop long-lasting mutual respect and understanding. They understand that sometimes certain friendships don’t fit into certain stages of life. Really appreciating your friend means that you support them even when they need some space away from you. Even if it hurts, let them go when they need it. Give them a chance to grow and expand into a more complete version of themselves.

A new study found that women are more likely than men to say they have a best friend.

The study, published Oct. 18 in the journal Adaptive Human Behavior and Physiology, involved 260 participants, mostly based in either Europe or North America.

Their ages ranged from 18 to 80, with an average age of 31.

The study found that only 85% of men reported having a best friend compared to 98% of women.

In addition, the study shows that men’s best friend relationships were significantly less close than women’s.

This is consistent with previous research showing that the male social world is built around half a dozen relationships, while “the female social world” is built around one or two much closer and therefore more fragile relationships.

Factors that go into choosing a best friend

The traits characterizing women’s friendships concerned the closeness of the relationship itself, while men’s friendships were more related to social activities.

For example, the trait “open-mindedness” was a major factor mentioned by men but not by women when choosing a boyfriend.

The authors of the study suspect that this could be because men tend to prefer social interactions in groups, while women have a stronger preference for one-on-one interactions.

Likewise, the study found that humor is an important trait in women’s best friendships, but not in men’s.

Interestingly, neither attractiveness nor athleticism played a major role in the choice of a man’s or woman’s best friend.

Evolutionary selection pressure

These differences show that men and women view best friend relationships very differently.

This strongly suggests, the authors write, that friendships fulfill different functional roles for males and females “arising from different evolutionary selection pressures.”

The study also found that only 2% of women had a romantic partner but no best friend, while 15% of men were in this situation.

Men are more likely to have a best friend of the opposite sex

The study showed that having a best friend of the opposite sex was rare for both men and women.

But this situation was much more common in men than in women.

About 22% of men reported having a best friend of the opposite sex compared to just 15% of women.

This finding reflects the fact that social networks are often segregated by gender.

“Even conversations are easily separated by gender once they contain more than four people,” the authors write.

Relationship Crisis: Best Friend Forever?

The study also finds that most relationships—both platonic and romantic—break up when one partner feels the other isn’t meeting their expectations.

“Relationships break down because one party is unhappy with the deal they get,” the authors write, “not because both parties ‘agree to disagree’.”

Other breaking psych news:

Do people prefer scientific article titles with colons and question marks? Short answer: yes.

A pronounced psychological profile, dubbed a “border mentality,” is still prevalent in the western United States, a new study finds.

A new study finds that while more people are entering college, the average American vocabulary hasn’t increased since the 1970s.

Skipping a grade in elementary school turns out not to be a problem for children’s mental health, although many educators still believe it.

Published in: Adaptive Human Behavior and Physiology

Authors: E. Pearce, A. Machin and R.I.M. Dunbar

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40750-020-00155-z

Release date: October 18, 2020

Photo: from Free-Photos from Pixabay