“Come with us," they said, "it will be fun," they said…
That is the classic quote you see all over in memes and tweets. Yes, third wheeling seems daunting and if you have the wrong mindset, it can be. However, there are ways to make it worthwhile.
I have a long history of being my best friends’ third wheels with their boyfriends, so from the bottom of my heart, I leave you with this: it is not as bad as it may seem. For all of you out there that have one or more close friends who have a significant other, this is an ultimate and easy-to-relate-to guide to being the very best third wheel you can be.
1. Three Person Hand-Holding
When your friend asks you to hang out with him or her, plus his or her significant other – possibly to see a movie, get frozen yogurt or walk around downtown – say yes with enthusiasm. The best thing for you to do is to play along with their public displays of affection and hold hands with them when they hold hands. It’ll break the ice quite well.
2. Creating Memories
Since your friend seems to be truly happy with his or her significant other, it will probably be beneficial to befriend said significant other so you can be in on all their funny memories… and to share embarrassing photos, texts and videos of your mutual connection. And share drinks.
3. Who's Boss?
Insist that your pal’s significant other is the true third wheel in the relationship. You were friends with your buddy before they began dating, so when you all hang out, his or her significant other knows who is boss.
4. Public Display of Affection
Speaking of PDA, no matter how much you may care about the person you are macking on in public, the odds are, the rest of us do not want to see it. Truthfully, it is nauseating. The benefit to being the trusty third wheel is that your friend and their partner will be less inclined to kiss in front of you. Long story short, you are saving the rest of us from eye-rolling over the couple making out in line at Starbucks.
5. I'll Be There For You
Lastly, and to touch on the more sentimental side of being the third wheel in a relationship, being there for emotional support for your friend and his/her companion, is that you will be able to help them solve their problems – kind of like a marriage counselor, but not quite as extreme. That way, the world can resume spinning and you will witness your best friend turn his or her frown upside down.
All in all, we as third wheels solve problems, make PDA situations go away and help foster memories to last a lifetime. The universe needs all of the wonderful third-wheels it can get – at least that is what I tell myself.
