‘BFF’ is something that people throw around a lot online but not all friendships are built to last forever. A lot of them are more like BFN’s…Best Friends for Now. But you’re probably thinking‘ me and my bestie are still going to be hanging out when we’re old and grey “Golden Girls” style.’ If you really want to test that, here are the habits that set real lifelong pals apart from the rest.
- They show up for each other when it matters most. Best friends are there for the good times but more importantly, they’re there for the bad times. Deaths, divorces, drunken mistakes… lifelong friends are people you can count on to lend a hand or at least an ear. Psychologist Marisa G. Franco says “people get to experience how much others truly love them by witnessing how much they show up for them in times of need.”
- They plan for transitions and keep talking once they happen. BFFs stay in each other’s lives despite whatever obstacles get in their way. Whether it’s distance, or babies, or COVID-19, lifetime friends adapt and keep in touch. Even if the transitions are bumpy, the effort is there.
- They remember things happening in each other’s lives, big and small. Close friends do a lot more than send you a ‘happy birthday’ on Facebook. They remember the important dates in your life like the anniversary of your mom’s death and make sure you’re doing okay. Therapist Kurt Smith says “remembering each other should really be more about remembering the less obvious things.”
- They’re able to discuss issues in their relationship honestly and maturely. When a friendship gets tested, and issues arise, BFFs find a way to get over it. While fair-weather friends may never be seen again, longtime friends address the problem, fix it, and strengthen their bond even more. According to Franco, “bringing up issues is a way to honor the relationship, and lifelong friends know how to do it in a way that doesn’t involve blame, but instead involves working together to heal.”
Find more signs your friendship is foreverHERE.
Source:HuffPost