Being a “third-wheel” is not a new concept. Someone in the friend group (or everyone in the friend group except one person) is bound to be in a relationship. Things get more complicated when we’re closer to the couple than anyone else. It’s fun. Instead of always hanging out with one friend, we get to hang out with two. Instead of taking group pictures, we get to take family pictures. Instead of showing up alone, we show up as a trio … and if we don’t other people get very concerned about the missing members.

But, as much as we gag when they kiss, take annoyed pictures when they act so in love and make fun of them for being a couple, they don’t have to put up with our annoyances. Having a tag-along to every family event, social gathering, movie night or dinner date can get exhausting, especially when you desperately need that alone time.

Sorry that we never pick sides in arguments or that we sing super loudly in the backseat of the car while you’re trying to be cute and talk about each other’s day. Thanks for taking two-player sports and making up new rules so three people can play. Sorry that we don’t have a significant other to double date with or play four-players board games with, we’re all you get for now. Even though people think we’re weird for always crashing your couple-ness by being the awkward third wheel, we love it and don’t care about anyone else.

So, thank you. Thank you for inviting us to celebrate your anniversary, for letting us crash your movie night, for letting us nap on the couch, for taking weird family pictures, for making reservations for three instead of two. We’re only a little sorry that we make fun of you for acting “couple-y” and gagging when you kiss. Sorry that we crash all of your dates and make you group hug before we all leave each other. We appreciate you more than you’ll ever know. Thank you for letting us be the third wheel to your tricycle.