Our best friends play invaluable roles in our lives. Although our parents are traditionally seen as holding the penultimate position – second only to the big man upstairs – it could be argued they share that position with our besties. Honestly, they even make a necklace dedicated to celebrating your best friend! It's because this is your partner in crime, your go-to, your right-hand person. You're completely yourself when you're with them, and the bond is eerily close to a relationship. What makes it so special? In all of the world, you two heathens found one another and were meant to rule it.

Best FriendsWiley Geren

June 8^th is National Best Friend Day (because that is a thing now), and it's time to celebrate your equally twisted half. Hug, make bad jokes, push each other to party or have a "fun" time with some lucky person, gossip, get fat and do what makes you both happy. But in between all of the celebrating, take a moment to realize and appreciate who they really are. You're "accountabilibuddy".

While Trey Parker and Matt Stone coined the term, it really is appropriate when celebrating National Best Friends Day. It highlights why you and your best friend share such a bond. You're accountable. Parents and significant others scold and chastise because they hold you to the highest of standards. Your best friend holds you to a different standard – do you, and they'll let you know where the lowest standard is. Not only that, but they will walk the hard paths right next to you.

This National Best Friends Day, thank your best friend for keeping you healthy, happy, and safe.

Keeping You Healthy

Who else keeps you jacked, toned, and on a healthy diet so you don't look like White Goodmen at the end of Dodgeball? Your best friend. According to Raphael Konforti, the National Director of Fitness at YouFit Health Clubs, there are some exercises you can do that require two people to get close and personal:

• -Resisted Bear Crawl – One partner holds a resistance band around the other's waist while they crawl for 30 seconds, then switch. Perfect for core-work.
• -Minute to Win It – Partners face each other with legs spread for squats and one medicine ball. One partner squats with the medicine ball and passes it on the upward movement. The other partner catches it and repeats. It's a friendly competition for one minute, but push to see who can go the longest.

With the ease and accessibility of cheap and unhealthy foods, BFFLs hold each other accountable to healthy eating. You know they're down for late-night taco bell, beer, and the ever-so-"healthy" Chik-Fil-a. But with 23.5 million Americans live in areas known as "food deserts" – areas lacking in the supply of fresh fruit, vegetables, and other healthy whole foods – those temptations need to be curbed. Plus, beach body season is always around the corner.

Keeping You Happy

Best FriendsWiley Geren

According to "39 Things to Do with Your Best Friend at Least Once", there's quite a bit you and your bestie can do to maintain your happiness levels. Besides the obvious aspect of having fun with your accountabilibuddy, it genuinely helps stress and emotional levels to let off steam and relax. It's critical to take time with each other to laugh and do something stupid or amazing in order to fend off life's pressures. The following are some personal favorites:

• -Spend an entire day together watching old Disney movies (definitely the best one)
• -Do something crazy or adventurous; face your fears together
• -Wear matching Halloween costumes
• -Travel to a new country

Keeping You Safe

The world is a dangerous place, and recently the safe havens within it have been compromised. Since 2012, 88,444 crimes have been reported to university police. Consisting mostly of rape, robbery, and assault, these crimes are a real danger you and your number one must stay wary of. Among all of the duties sworn to as a best friend, keeping one another safe may be the most important. You are there for when they walk home, for when they feel in danger, and to call in times of need.

It's your job to be a wake-up call as well. Everybody else is on your best friend's back, and they love you for always supporting them. That means it's your responsibility to voice when something has gone too far. If they are with someone who looks legitimately dangerous, or about to travel a threatening path, speak up. They may hate you for it then, but it may save them from a horrible experience.

You are their accountabilibuddy, and remember to take the title seriously on June 8^th, National Best Friends Day!

Best FriendsWiley Geren