Nicholas Sparks has set some pretty unrealistic expectations for romance and the so-called “perfect” relationship. While your college boyfriend or your weekend hook-up may not live up to the likes Noah Calhoun or John Tyree, your relationship with your best friend is more than you could ever ask for in a SO. Let people fantasize about the “perfect” love, while Sparks reminds you she’s already in your life.
1. “No matter what happens to us in the future, everyday we are together is the greatest day of my life.” -The Notebook
Your best friend makes your life great. You’ve got memories and stories to last a lifetime, and pictures of the nights you just can’t remember. Nights out with your best friend are guaranteed to leave you smiling as you carefully craft the perfect Instagram post. While you know that time in college is short and you won’t be able to maintain this same lifestyle after graduation, you can’t help but live in the moment. When late night pizza runs turn into afternoon lunch dates you know you’ll still love every moment with her, even if they are few and far between.
2. “If you like her, if she makes you happy, and if you feel like you know her—then don’t let her go.” -Message in a Bottle
College is a time for growth and change. While you and your best friend may start taking different paths, that’s okay. You don’t have to enjoy every extracurricular activity together to stay friends. You’re fostering your own unique interests. Even when it feels like you don’t have a lot in common, if you still enjoy spending time with her and you still feel like you can trust her, there’s no reason you to let that friendship go. Celebrate what makes you who you are and what makes her who she is.
3. “You’re going to come across people in your life who will say all the right words at all the right times. But in the end, it’s always their actions you should judge them by. It’s actions, not words, that matter.” -The Rescue
You’re going to have a lot of friends in your life, but you’re also going to come a lot of “friends” in your life. “Friends” can be fun for the short term, but often times it ends poorly. These “friends” are the type of people who always say you should hang out, but they are rarely ever there when you actually need them. They may be the type of people who tell you exactly what you want to hear, but they won’t give it to you straight. A real friend totally tells you when you have lipstick on your teeth even if it’s embarrassing and you don’t want to hear it. Your bestie not only says she’s your best friend, she continually proves to you she is.
4. “In times of grief and sorrow I will hold you and rock you and take your grief and make it my own. When you cry I cry and when you hurt I hurt.” -The Notebook
Transitioning into adulthood isn’t always easy. You may be experiencing the loss of a pet, a relative or a loved one. You may be going through a bad breakup with your high school sweetheart, or that clearly not-Noah boyfriend. When life gets hard, your best friend is the one who’s really there for you even if it means standing there in her pajamas hugging you while you cry. She’s been there for you and you’ve been there for her. You both know the worst feeling in the world is watching the other one hurting.
5. “That’s why I loved being with you. We could do the simplest things, like toss starfish into the ocean and share a burger and talk and even then I knew that I was fortunate.” -The Best of Me
You and your best friend can do anything together and have a good time. You enjoy study dates at the library *almost* as much as you enjoy your Friday nights out. Your best friend understands you and that’s all you really need.
6. “Sometimes you have to be apart from people you love, but that doesn’t make you love them any less. Sometimes you love them more.” -The Last Song
If you and your best friend are going to different schools now you know how rough distance can get. This girl has been by your side through it all and she’s still the first person you call. Now that you’re apart, you appreciate your time and you conversations with her more than ever. You’ve met a lot of people since you left home, but no one could ever replace her.
7. “Maybe we’ve lived a thousand lives before this one and in each of them we’ve found each other… I know I’ve spent each life before this one searching for you. Not someone like you but you, for your soul and mine must always come together.” -The Notebook
Sometimes you swear you know her better than you know yourself. You can’t remember what life was like before your best friend and you can’t imagine what it would be like without her. She really is a part of you and who you are. No matter what happens, no matter whom else your friends with or whom you may fall in love with your best friend is truly your soulmate and you don’t want to imagine life without her.