When I was in middle school and beginning to establish my online/social media presence, there was nothing my friends and I loved more than tagging each other in cheesy pictures and having hour-long wall-to-walls filled with cliché quotes we lifted from brainyquote.com about how we were ~<3 bEsT fRiEnDs <3~. Years later, I still have all the love in the world for my OG #RideOrDies, but I've gotten to thinking about the moments-- especially with my friends at college-- that serve as clear indicators that the line between friendship and nap-in-the-same bed, pee-in-the-same-stall-at-the-bar *best* friendship has been crossed:
1. The moment you stop needing words to communicate.
[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F03%2F05%2F6359281024278167481549033048_anigif_enhanced-24788-1392085130-2.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=31&h=a328c033bb74fe8251714e9156f933e24eaba2149ab6b8c19e2c80a37eb95805&size=980x&c=2585437454 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2016%252F03%252F05%252F6359281024278167481549033048_anigif_enhanced-24788-1392085130-2.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D31%26h%3Da328c033bb74fe8251714e9156f933e24eaba2149ab6b8c19e2c80a37eb95805%26size%3D980x%26c%3D2585437454%22%7D" expand=1]
2. When you graduate from sharing homework and lab notes to the more important things like Netflix accounts and bottles of wine.
[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F03%2F05%2F635928097018687853-1767278005_giphy-3.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=219&h=374defd999a4b952f813be6fe509f9d6513eba38c4292398e5d6c7c35a6c6828&size=980x&c=2720770819 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2016%252F03%252F05%252F635928097018687853-1767278005_giphy-3.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D219%26h%3D374defd999a4b952f813be6fe509f9d6513eba38c4292398e5d6c7c35a6c6828%26size%3D980x%26c%3D2720770819%22%7D" expand=1]
3. The moment you realize you love all the same things.
[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F03%2F05%2F6359280930664428471784819935_tumblr_mhgizsHL1e1rjvtf2o1_250.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=529&h=26d71615cb588ad48558f0c73e089d4670327e3b1f751be4bafad4be8f7b02b1&size=980x&c=148404944 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2016%252F03%252F05%252F6359280930664428471784819935_tumblr_mhgizsHL1e1rjvtf2o1_250.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D529%26h%3D26d71615cb588ad48558f0c73e089d4670327e3b1f751be4bafad4be8f7b02b1%26size%3D980x%26c%3D148404944%22%7D" expand=1]
[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F03%2F05%2F6359280931359727411661062466_tumblr_mhgizsHL1e1rjvtf2o2_250.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=61&h=e48f72516f02c253b516c66d6c69a30ecaa0d8e172f7bfef9d2ce5c834f29480&size=980x&c=1621722965 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2016%252F03%252F05%252F6359280931359727411661062466_tumblr_mhgizsHL1e1rjvtf2o2_250.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D61%26h%3De48f72516f02c253b516c66d6c69a30ecaa0d8e172f7bfef9d2ce5c834f29480%26size%3D980x%26c%3D1621722965%22%7D" expand=1]
[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F03%2F05%2F635928093208002645199422700_tumblr_mhgizsHL1e1rjvtf2o3_250.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=451&h=6bf1f1616a78b3c1c9999d8d21799c5f40047031d38d0d4ed29a64fa5c3851c9&size=980x&c=3863292801 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2016%252F03%252F05%252F635928093208002645199422700_tumblr_mhgizsHL1e1rjvtf2o3_250.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D451%26h%3D6bf1f1616a78b3c1c9999d8d21799c5f40047031d38d0d4ed29a64fa5c3851c9%26size%3D980x%26c%3D3863292801%22%7D" expand=1]
4. The moment they offer to tell off/maim/kill someone for you.
[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F03%2F05%2F635928105317421880-661960587_tumblr_mbgju7yyXJ1risusro1_500.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=2&h=1caa494257a39d33210fe812db353d2749f2fc7eeb3f316c407985a55d807613&size=980x&c=2354731352 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2016%252F03%252F05%252F635928105317421880-661960587_tumblr_mbgju7yyXJ1risusro1_500.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D2%26h%3D1caa494257a39d33210fe812db353d2749f2fc7eeb3f316c407985a55d807613%26size%3D980x%26c%3D2354731352%22%7D" expand=1]
5. When you both understand and abide by an unspoken no-judgment rule.
[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F03%2F05%2F635928108335271893895508947_evnR5h0.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=349&h=3bfbfcd95a9ede5b42c9fd6fdc1e9e71c9cb3a3828a1dd1eb9d9b2fba6b0e1f3&size=980x&c=1630509154 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2016%252F03%252F05%252F635928108335271893895508947_evnR5h0.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D349%26h%3D3bfbfcd95a9ede5b42c9fd6fdc1e9e71c9cb3a3828a1dd1eb9d9b2fba6b0e1f3%26size%3D980x%26c%3D1630509154%22%7D" expand=1]
6. When they start hating someone just because you do, no questions asked.
[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F03%2F05%2F635928109271334697301667104_tumblr_lsobdzbj2n1qakh43o1_500.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=469&h=0e192721a1f578c958971d7e563ab81feb0100da9a7636a6d120048dec4cf301&size=980x&c=1208082288 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2016%252F03%252F05%252F635928109271334697301667104_tumblr_lsobdzbj2n1qakh43o1_500.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D469%26h%3D0e192721a1f578c958971d7e563ab81feb0100da9a7636a6d120048dec4cf301%26size%3D980x%26c%3D1208082288%22%7D" expand=1]
7. And they hate them more aggressively than you do.
[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F03%2F05%2F635928109958858024650733822_rudeandmean_zpsdf7bac1b.GIF&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=576&h=081bc18a8b4c0f7a54d6a56a3184e5084e22ec979d4a8736a05eac48eb2ccb75&size=980x&c=2794818444 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2016%252F03%252F05%252F635928109958858024650733822_rudeandmean_zpsdf7bac1b.GIF%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D576%26h%3D081bc18a8b4c0f7a54d6a56a3184e5084e22ec979d4a8736a05eac48eb2ccb75%26size%3D980x%26c%3D2794818444%22%7D" expand=1]
8. When they remember your exact coffee order AND surprise you with it.
[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F03%2F05%2F635928110792954334-906023660_tumblr_mmv4qwHnm11sp9fcho1_250.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=485&h=6a4792a53ef6793c817f4521033496ea07e493a415ddb5a7f51f26977e2daa22&size=980x&c=2994633814 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2016%252F03%252F05%252F635928110792954334-906023660_tumblr_mmv4qwHnm11sp9fcho1_250.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D485%26h%3D6a4792a53ef6793c817f4521033496ea07e493a415ddb5a7f51f26977e2daa22%26size%3D980x%26c%3D2994633814%22%7D" expand=1]
9. They ask you to approve all of their instas before they post, especially the ones you're in.
[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F03%2F05%2F635928107791070926-729963934_help-me-gif.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=880&h=a724b2f639dfb0419ba3b62294e8932edb68c4620fc9fa137e68c382f4c153b5&size=980x&c=2000190426 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2016%252F03%252F05%252F635928107791070926-729963934_help-me-gif.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D880%26h%3Da724b2f639dfb0419ba3b62294e8932edb68c4620fc9fa137e68c382f4c153b5%26size%3D980x%26c%3D2000190426%22%7D" expand=1]
And you do the same.
10. And the second you post a picture, they automatically throw you the comment and like.
[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F03%2F05%2F635928111920834521-1120511186_1422300956-tumblr_ly59dph7mj1qa38qko1_500.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=387&h=702f238dae7880f7db972a6ea4cd2c67df93be7b7dbcd219873b063f26ce62c5&size=980x&c=1698027013 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2016%252F03%252F05%252F635928111920834521-1120511186_1422300956-tumblr_ly59dph7mj1qa38qko1_500.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D387%26h%3D702f238dae7880f7db972a6ea4cd2c67df93be7b7dbcd219873b063f26ce62c5%26size%3D980x%26c%3D1698027013%22%7D" expand=1]
*Important note: they are NOT a true friend if they comment and don't like it. Commenting without the accompanying like is pretty much grounds for a restraining order, actually.
11. They watch you carefully when you're out to make sure you don't text/call an ex.
[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F03%2F05%2F6359281171408309341593774875_48e9f64.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=289&h=3acd0de5c368d4da4ca8466c2a22fa47311bd3cf3cf375c1a204a0a6f244ae95&size=980x&c=3277213771 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2016%252F03%252F05%252F6359281171408309341593774875_48e9f64.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D289%26h%3D3acd0de5c368d4da4ca8466c2a22fa47311bd3cf3cf375c1a204a0a6f244ae95%26size%3D980x%26c%3D3277213771%22%7D" expand=1]
12. Pigging out on junk food together turns into not only a favorite pastime, but also a point of pride.
[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F03%2F05%2F6359281068163806061012101101_292132ae2c129e5e31613fd98e0242d0.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=505&h=de051787a1c60d067c8f3a3163736f9c8fd88473a8948da813e2ae1cedc13957&size=980x&c=3316741179 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2016%252F03%252F05%252F6359281068163806061012101101_292132ae2c129e5e31613fd98e0242d0.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D505%26h%3Dde051787a1c60d067c8f3a3163736f9c8fd88473a8948da813e2ae1cedc13957%26size%3D980x%26c%3D3316741179%22%7D" expand=1]
13. The first time you barge into their room without even thinking about knocking.
[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F03%2F05%2F635928118800000385995754046_tumblr_n2xc3cHWg01sgl0ajo1_500.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=844&h=341562569f305d617763a929c710a97270527058886853c55e8fb1aeef2b555d&size=980x&c=3253613986 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2016%252F03%252F05%252F635928118800000385995754046_tumblr_n2xc3cHWg01sgl0ajo1_500.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D844%26h%3D341562569f305d617763a929c710a97270527058886853c55e8fb1aeef2b555d%26size%3D980x%26c%3D3253613986%22%7D" expand=1]
14. When you officially establish that you have a song.
[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F03%2F05%2F635928092151473889-460376449_giphy-1.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=430&h=adf29109cc8a2fb63f1369b05247e38dd7afce70f4f8072d5046c1803700b737&size=980x&c=177732162 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2016%252F03%252F05%252F635928092151473889-460376449_giphy-1.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D430%26h%3Dadf29109cc8a2fb63f1369b05247e38dd7afce70f4f8072d5046c1803700b737%26size%3D980x%26c%3D177732162%22%7D" expand=1]
15. And when it comes on, you pretty much lose your sh*t together.
[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F03%2F05%2F635928091625303077-1769452500_200.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=672&h=0d6ab93b29cac8e00a8003871ade318f170c14f71f4e4854601097ea1fa066fc&size=980x&c=2682597841 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2016%252F03%252F05%252F635928091625303077-1769452500_200.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D672%26h%3D0d6ab93b29cac8e00a8003871ade318f170c14f71f4e4854601097ea1fa066fc%26size%3D980x%26c%3D2682597841%22%7D" expand=1]
16. When they take the place of a significant other in your life.
[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F03%2F05%2F635928120311976324-1498475661_635800135558354766-1079842869_bridesmaids.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=591&h=ef5180718863f28f64d02813b3974914c820e5438b30e962c0ce59186adfaa94&size=980x&c=4157858921 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2016%252F03%252F05%252F635928120311976324-1498475661_635800135558354766-1079842869_bridesmaids.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D591%26h%3Def5180718863f28f64d02813b3974914c820e5438b30e962c0ce59186adfaa94%26size%3D980x%26c%3D4157858921%22%7D" expand=1]
17. The moment you realize you've had someone in mind the entire time you were reading this.
[rebelmouse-proxy-image https://media.rbl.ms/image?u=%2Ffiles%2F2016%2F03%2F05%2F635928122104084947-1023759394_tumblr_n15w7bPs9j1s4g1xjo1_500.gif&ho=https%3A%2F%2Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net&s=1&h=2a1c5a4a2b6e0ab75d54b8051cde7e7866cd0a6da25956155a9f217ab045eea5&size=980x&c=1832524965 crop_info="%7B%22image%22%3A%20%22https%3A//media.rbl.ms/image%3Fu%3D%252Ffiles%252F2016%252F03%252F05%252F635928122104084947-1023759394_tumblr_n15w7bPs9j1s4g1xjo1_500.gif%26ho%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Faz616578.vo.msecnd.net%26s%3D1%26h%3D2a1c5a4a2b6e0ab75d54b8051cde7e7866cd0a6da25956155a9f217ab045eea5%26size%3D980x%26c%3D1832524965%22%7D" expand=1]
Go forth and share this with your best friends! And no matter what, never let them go. If they can keep you from sending a risky text AND remember your venti four-pump non-fat iced chai latte with light ice and one Equal, they're keepers.
Humayun's Tomb (New Delhi) | Humayun's tomb is a complex of … | Flickr
