For almost my entire life, I have had the great fortune of knowing seven hilarious, loving, crazy, empathetic, and beautiful women and have been even more honored to call each one of them my best friends. Their differences are so striking, each personality a separate stroke of paint on the canvas of our intertwined lives – yet somehow, we are jigsaw puzzle pieces that fit together effortlessly. I believe in fate because of them, and even more so I believe that we will always have each other’s backs until years from now when we’re all bickering at a nursing home. They are my purpose when I’ve lost my way; my happiness when happiness seems out of reach; my hope, my laughter, my peace. My life would never be whole without my best friends: they’re my reason for trusting everything good in this world.
As a testament to these remarkable people, here’s why I cherish having a group of best friends.
1. They laugh at your terrible jokes.
I am by no means the comedian of the group, and – being as socially awkward as I am – I’m usually pretty unsuccessful at telling a decent story or joke without babbling. But my best friends laugh because they love me (right guys?) and have even joined in with me to the point where we could fill a library with inside jokes that don’t actually make much sense but are still hilarious to us.
2. They'll sing your favorite songs with you until your voices are hoarse.
By some strange, unspoken rule, any moment in the car with the radio on also becomes a karaoke session. We roll the windows down and sing together, loudly (for extra effect, of course). I’d be surprised if no one is scouting our combined talent after our many post-beach day renditions of Magic’s song Rude. Beyonce, where you at?
3. They'll get super emotional and honest with you in any setting.
One of my best friends and I recently grabbed lunch together during spring break, and after about an hour we ended up on the same side of the booth, talking about our futures and how proud we were of each other. I should probably mention that we ended up happy-crying over a shared slice of blueberry pie (the waitress was understandably confused).
4. You never hesitate to be the weird self you secretly are around them.
Who else could we use the classic double-chinned, cross eyed look on?
5. Group messages keep you sane.
Oh, GroupMe, what would we do without you? I don’t remember the last time I went more than a day without having a conversation with my best friends – whether it was complaining about a grade that was probably deserved, discussing the merits of watching Gilmore Girls, asking for fashion advice, comforting one another in times of stress, or engaging in important debates about which Bachelor will win Jojo’s heart (Wells, if you’re reading this, WE LOVE YOU).
6. You're perfectly comfortable barging into each other's houses.
Are you even best friends if you knock on each other’s doors?
7. Group outings become a big deal - especially after a long time apart.
When we go to dinner together, our table is giant and we look like we’re at a family reunion – and it sort of is, because we’re all so excited that we rounded everyone up in the same place. Bonfires are a constant in the summer, and being surrounded by happy, illuminated faces is a beautiful memory.
8. They'll fiercely protect you if you get hurt.
If one of my best friends is upset, the rest of us feel it deep to our core, and we will do anything it takes to lift each other up again. Even separated by the distance between our individual colleges, we have each other’s full love and support from miles away.
9. They are content to be lazy couch potatoes with you.
What are social outings? Staying in is probably one of our favorite things to do: we’ve baked a cake while watching The Breakfast Club for the umpteenth time, played intense games of MarioKart, had awesome taco parties, and painted canvases together late at night to prepare for the ordeal of dorm decoration.
10. Picture-taking is a hilarious challenge.
As embarrassing as it is to admit, we can’t not take selfies – but with eight people and eight pairs of short arms, we usually resort to *gasp* using our social skills and asking a stranger to take a picture for us. Or, in the case of the artsy illusion pictured above, we switch on the camera timer and set our phones precariously on rocks, diving into the picture at the last second and striking a casual pose.
11. Everything is an adventure.
Because there’s so many of us, it’s rare to find ourselves in the same place at once. But it’s a blessing in disguise, because every moment spent together becomes a little more special and every second is treasured.
12. Goodbyes are heart-wrenching, but give you perspective and a sense of pride for one another.
Almost two years ago, we departed for college one by one and were shocked by the unfamiliar feeling of a weakened geographical connection. But, rather unexpectedly, the goodbyes fortified us, and our bonds were even stronger. In the reality of each other’s absence, we realized that what we had couldn’t be taken for granted. What we had – an unconditional, unalterable, everlasting companionship – was so unique and so exceptional in its own right, and from that moment forward we’d never forget it.
13. They are everything, and you feel overwhelmingly grateful for what you have because of them.
I love you all so endlessly, and although it can never be fully expressed, I hope that every day you feel appreciated and included. Because you, my friends, are one of the best parts of me.
