From early childhood on, friendship becomes an integral component of life. You may be an extrovert, introvert or consider yourself in a category somewhere in between. Chances are, however, that you have friends. You may also have a few BFFs — “best friends forever.”
BFF is a colloquial acronym that made its way into the limelight through texting and social media. Savvy entrepreneurs know how to maximize profit from trends. They boosted BFF popularity by creating products bearing logos. You can buy everything “BFF” from jewelry, hats and other clothing items to school supplies and wall décor.
Nowadays, if you want to be part of the mainstream, you need to have one or several BFFs.
BFFs accept you as you are
There are pros and cons to having BFFs; however, such relationships are typically genuine. They are formed with strong bonds for any number of reasons. You and your BFF may be quite similar in personality. On the other hand, you may be an “opposites attract” type of duo. One of the greatest benefits to a BFF relationship is that you can be 100 percent yourself with this person (or these people).
When you’re with BFFs, there are no pretenses. You know things about each other that perhaps no one else on the planet knows. You bring out the best in each other. In fact, you might get along so well that you joke about needing a BFF more than a spouse.
You can agree to disagree
BFF relationships usually don’t suffer permanent damage if disagreements arise. Best friends understand and are willing to forgive. In most situations, they forget and move on. An ability to agree to disagree may be one of the things you love most about your BFF. You might also love the fact that you don’t really have to plan your time together. You know you can have a good time, no matter what you’re doing.
When the cons outweigh the pros
As with most lifestyle choices, there’s a potential downside to having a BFF relationship because humans tend to be insecure and jealous. These character flaws can very easily filter into close friendships. This limits your opportunity for social interaction outside your closely-knit duo or trio or foursome, etc. If you and your BFF are so close that you don’t feel comfortable forming new friendships, it might be a sign that your relationship is not as healthy as you think.
It’s also possible for friendships to outlive themselves. Sometimes, you stay connected more out of habit than because your relationship remains active and is good for your well-being. Time passes, people change and life experiences can affect friendships. This doesn’t mean you don’t care about a particular person. It might just mean that you’ve grown in separate directions and the strong bond that once kept you close has faded. It can be emotionally difficult to end a friendship. Remember that friendships are supposed to provide encouragement, support and joy in your life. If you feel “stuck,” it might be time to move on.
BFFs help us through the tough times
On the bright side, a BFF means you always have someone to talk to. You have someone to go shopping with, as well as to share life’s ups and downs. You exist alongside each other without fear of judgement. If you and your BFF are Christians, you have the benefit of enjoying the abundant blessings that come from Christ-centered relationships. Life can be tough and having a best friend to worship with, to lean on when you take a fall or simply to know that someone “has your back,” is worth it.
Whether you’ve just recently stepped into adulthood or have been married and raising a family for decades, or even if (perhaps, especially if) you’ve been there, done all that and are now living out your golden years, a BFF may be just what you need to rejuvenate your spirit or add laughter to your day and, of course, always have someone on hand with whom you can take selfies!
Writer Bio: Judy Dudich
Judy Dudich resides in the beautiful woods of Pennsylvania, where 24 acres of land and a home-office provide the perfect setting for her children’s home-education and her own homesteading and business ventures. Life is full of blessings (and challenges!) for Judy, as a wife, mother of 10 and Grammy to six. She is a published author, whose book, “I Surrender/A Study Guide for Women” continues to encourage and support others in Christian family lifestyles throughout the world. Judy has also previously worked in the online speaking circuit. Her passion for permaculture, re-purposing, foraging and organic gardening fills her days with learning and adventure that she loves to share.
