There comes a point in every friend group's time together that it realizes that its members can't be considered friends anymore. They are too close, too involved in each others' lives, and probably spend too much time together. The nature of the group surpasses the definition of friendship and needs a new name for itself. Most groups decide they function as a small surrogate family for its members, which really is a beautiful and unique bond.
In an attempt to model the conventional family bonds, each friend group distributes familial roles to its members. You've seen them before with articles like "10 Signs You're the Mom Of The Friend Group". I offer an extension on the familial roles, where multiple members of the family are shown. Based on each description, you'll be able to tell which member of the group you really are.
1. "Mom"
Are you arguably the most responsible one of the group? Do you typically remind the rest of your friends to grab their books, keys, ID cards, etc.? Are you the one that keeps track of where everyone is at all times? Then you just might be the Mom of your friend group. This is never a bad thing because everyone needs a motherly figure in their life. And of course you're extremely valuable to your friend group because they would probably never be organized, on time, or sane without you.
2. "Dad"
Are you the friend that is always around to listen? The one that constantly says bad puns in an effort to lighten the mood or make everyone laugh? Do you find yourself saying things like "walk it off" or "stick with it, champ?" Well then it looks like you're the Dad of the group. Just as with motherly figures, having father figures in one's life is a blessing and a comfort. You have made a great difference in your friends' lives by being supportive and perhaps even strong for when they can't be. So thanks, Dads.
3. "Weird Aunt"
Do you often disagree with the advice of the "Mom" of your group? Are you at times overly honest with your answers? Do you share a little too much at the dinner table? Not to worry, because Weird Aunts are a vital part of anyone's life. You add spice to conversations and constantly surprise the people around you. You always mean well, and they know that, and that (plus your spunk) is why they truly love you.
4. "Whiny Middle Child"
Do you find yourself accidentally left behind or left out of events or conversations? Are you sometimes wondering whether people actually hear you speak? Do you become very adamant and passionate about random things just to assert that you're present in conversations? My poor Middle Children, you have nothing to fear. The people in your friend groups do know that you're there and do value you as a part of the group (if they didn't they wouldn't have welcomed you into it). More often than not you just seem like a constant and not someone that needs to be worried about, so they don't. You've never been purposefully forgotten and are still just as valuable to the family as anyone else.
5. "Dog"
Are you excited to see anyone from your friend group, no matter what time it is or how long ago you saw them? Are you sometimes known to be clingy or overly affectionate? Did you drool on your friend that one time and now whenever you get too close to one of your friends they all say, "Hey, Julia, don't drool on me," even though it was totally an accident and only really happened that one time and you really have no control over how much you drool and now they all call you "Droolia" even though that's totally not funny anymore because it was over a year ago and you just want to move on with your life? Then you just might be the Dog. Really, though, what family doesn't love having a dog? You're sweet and kind, and your friends know that you'll always be there for them if they need the love and attention you always seem to have.
Every family is different, of course. Sometimes there's multiple dogs, two dads, and an uncle that always slips you twenties at any family gathering. But every family cares a lot for each other, and, frankly, that's what keeps it whole.
