We've all been there. It starts with a simple conversation — whether that be at work, in a college class, or drunk in the girls bathroom on a Friday night. You immediately click, but you know you have to play it cool. These are the five phases every 20-something goes through when meeting that potential new bestie.
1. The Stalker Phase
Aw yes, the digital age. We start out by adding each other on various social media accounts and doing what we girls do best: creeping. All of a sudden, it's midnight and you are into the 100th week of her Instagram page (just be careful not to double tap that picture). You’re finding that you guys have so much in common, but for now you can’t admit that you know all of this from stalking her online.
2. The Initiation Phase
So now it’s time to initiate that first hang out. You wait until that right moment when it seems like both of you could potentially have fun outside of your regular setting. But does that mean coffee, drinks or simply just hanging out at your house? This is where decisions will be made on if you two are actually compatible friends. Fingers crossed, ladies.
3. The Inside Joke Phase
If you have made it through the first two phases than you definitely have a few inside jokes by now. You most likely spend the day messaging back and forth and staring at your phone giggling. Your other friends probably think you are texting your crush, and in a way you kind of are, but totally a friend crush of course. This is the phase that seals the bond.
4. The Comfortable Phase
You are finally out of the “honeymoon phase” and officially into being comfortable with each other. Maybe this is where you admit the social media stalking or tell her about that time you egged your ex’s car for cheating on you. At this point you know it’s not going to scare her out of being your friend. You trust her and it’s a great feeling.
5. The Meet the Family Phase
Whether your family is picture perfect or more like a scene out of "The Royal Tenenbaum's," you are ready to introduce her to the people you love most. This is the final phase of the female friendship. Once she's part of the family, there is no getting rid of her now.
Sometimes making new friends can be hard and sometimes it can be really easy, but its all part of life. Friendships often times blossom the same way a relationship does. They take work, but at the end of the day it's worth it. So ladies, get out there and talk to that girl you want to be friends with. Maybe you won't hit it off, or maybe she will be the best friend you'll ever have. But you won't find out if you never spark up that first conversation.
