How to Be a Best Friend: You, Your Best Friend and Your Relationship

With the concept of best friend in a state of transition during this era, how to be a best friend can have numerous connotations.  

"Don't walk in front of me, I may not follow. Don't walk behind me, I may not lead. Walk beside me and be my friend.” Albert Camus

Consider the following ways that you can be a best friend.

Clarify the relationship.

Clarifying any best friend relationship immediately is important, so that there are no third party best friends in the relationship.

Best friend relationships can vary from familial relationships like mother and daughter, or father and daughter. Sons often consider their fathers to be their best friends. Fathers may feel the same way about their sons. Aunts and uncles can become the best friend of nephews and nieces; the same is true for grandparents and grandchildren. Brothers and sisters can also be best friends.    

Spouses often decide that their wives or husbands are their best friends, and they are or become that. In this era, same sex relationships or partnerships can be or become best friend relationships. They are different in nature and thus, clarifying the meaning of best friend is always vital.

Be there for each other.

Traditionally, best friends have always been there for one another. For example, two children growing up next door to one another, become best friends at an early age and often remain best friends throughout their lives. The children, whether male or female, assume best friend relationships, because they can be and they are there for each other. Perhaps two young girls do everything together, like playing dolls, computer games, taking dancing lessons, etc. Two young boys go swimming or mountain biking together, and look out for one another at school. They work at building things like tree houses. Note that these kinds of best friend relationships are often filial and asexual in nature.     

Make time for one another.

Regardless of the kind of relationship best friends have, they make time for one another or understand when that is not possible. During their time together, they maintain a consistent loving, kind, and considerate relationship that is seldom abusive, argumentative or judgmental. They know that they can count on one another other and are ready to defend each other during difficult times. Although they may have differences, they find a way to resolve them.  

Share with one another.

Sharing is important as best friends frequently share their joys and sorrows, thoughts, feelings and interests and the treasures they collect over the years. Sometimes, they think alike and are open to sharing families and friends. At times, best friends can be closer than brothers or sisters.

Best friends are often mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually in tune with one another.

Best friends relate and interact in ways that others may not comprehend. For example, a young man may claim Jesus as his best friend. A young woman may suggest that her elderly yoga teacher is her best friend. At times, best friend relationships involve ghosts or other mysterious kinds of relationships. Then, there are the invisible, best friends of many children and dogs, who are man’s best friend.

Never underestimate the merit of being best friends with someone, or allowing him or her to be your best friend, but choose your best friend carefully. Make certain that the best friend relationship is the kind of a relationship that you want. Ideally, it should be a peaceful, happy relationship. You both can work at keeping it one, whether near or far!