At some point everyone has been the, “single friend.” Some people complain about it, but why is that? I saw my best friend in a number of relationships throughout high school. I saw her shed tears over boys that didn’t even deserve her, let alone her tears. Now she’s happy. Not the kind of happy most of us are feeling now that we have officially made it through another Michigan winter, but the happy you can only get when you’re with someone who cares just as much about you as you care about them. Anyone who comes around her can see that. Her pure happiness is contagious.

I texted her the other day to make plans, since it’s harder to do that now that we are adulting. We talked a little about how long it has been and how we used to be inseparable. During the conversation I felt as if she was starting to defend her relationship with her boyfriend, even though I never mentioned him once. I stopped her right there. I reassured her that it had nothing to do with him and that we just were busy with school and work. I then told her if any of our other friends blamed him as a reason, they should just stop talking. I would never try to punish or place guilt on my best friend or any friend for being truly happy in a healthy and loving relationship. Why wouldn’t you want the best for your friend? Even if it meant giving up hanging out a few times a week so they could go out for date night.

I’m not looking for a boyfriend, but even if I was I wouldn’t let my loneliness ruin my friend’s happiness. A true friend isn’t selfish and won’t make you choose between her and a relationship. I hope one day when I do decide I want to get into a relationship that I’m lucky enough to find myself in a relationship like she has. Until then, I’ll continue to support her and love her while she’s in this relationship because I know she would feel the same about me if I was in her position. She deserves both her best friend and her boyfriend.