I have always been a very indecisive person. I cannot even decide what I want to eat for lunch half of the time, let alone who I dub to be my singular “best friend.” I don’t really like the term for that reason—I have many close friends, and I have very different relationships with each one of them. I can barely compare them or say that one relationship is more vital than another. Instead, it is more logical that you have many best friends, each in different settings and stages throughout your life, and keep them all.
First, you have the childhood best friend. You do everything together in those early years. Lemonade stands, picking flowers off of trees, playing games, going to preschool and elementary school, riding the bus, learning how to read, and generally growing. No matter how much or how little you talk, you will always be bonded through cherished memories, and you can still have a good time today.
Then, there’s the middle school best friend. This one simply has to be in your life because they know too much about you. Endless Photo Booth pictures, shared secrets, embarrassing crushes, brace-faces, and hideous fashion trends. Usually, your middle school best friend is quite similar to you, but then you develop more differences in high school. But don’t forget to break out the ugly photos on her birthday because you will still be celebrating with her!
In high school, you’ll probably bump around a lot but eventually find that real MVP (or a few). These ones know every side of you from the happy, “I’m in love (I think)” phase to the sloppy “drunk for the first time” moments and true teenage angst. They know your past and can predict your future. College will be really hard at first without this one, but never fear…
...College BFF is here! This is usually your roommate, someone on your floor, or someone you have classes with. College BFF gets to see the best, and the worst—up close and personal. Drunken pizza nights, crying over finals and laughing so hard you have to run to the communal bathroom: it’s all bound to happen. College friends are also more likely to have similar values because you are in a place where you both chose to be, instead of being forced together based on geographical location. Forever friends, guaranteed.
The above briefly summarizes a few of the different types of best friends out there, but this does not bring justice to the relationships. I also did not cover the next-door best friend, the sports (dance!) best friend, the “You’re My Person” best friend, or the Big/Little best friends.
On that note, thank you to all of the best friends who have stood by me and made me the person that I am today. I love you.
