"But at least she's happy."

It's a justification that I've used copious times in referring to my friends' relationships.

She could do so much better. But hey, at least she's happy.

I don't like the way she's changing into something she's not. But hey, at least she's happy.

Something about that guy gives me weird vibes. But hey, at least she's happy.

Is being happy really the only goal of a relationship?

Not just romantically speaking, but in any friendship? Happiness is contingent upon circumstances, while joy is not. Happiness focuses more on the direct feelings of the self, while joy extends to all that surround the joyful person.

I'm tired of the idea of happiness being used as a barrier for protecting friendships. Of course, any true friend would warn their friend from the start of a relationship if he or she believed that their friend was entering into something detrimental. But why does there come a point when one has to accept that if his or her friend is "happy," it must be okay? I long for my friends to have so much more than temporary happiness and satisfaction. Why is it so hard to explain that without coming across as a jerk in today's society?

I want to be the friend that asks the hard but loving questions.

The type of questions that are more than just, "Are you happy?"

Does he/she treat you right?
Does he/she encourage you in your religious beliefs?
Does he/she not just date you, but try to win you often?
Does he/she not only support you in your identity, but also challenge you to be the better version of yourself?

I'd like to overcome society's misconceptions of these questions being judgmental in order to ensure my friend's more-than-happiness in a relationship. Isn't that what a good friend is called to do? Encourage and lovingly admonish what another friend fails to see?