This Is Why You’re My Best Friend

Oct. 13, 2011

By Ryan O'Connell info

Ryan O’Connell is a 25 year-old writer based in the East Village, New York.

Read more »

We’re best friends because you get it. I’m not sure what that means (it’s all so vague) but whatever it is, you have it. I don’t need to explain anything to you or worry if you’ll get the joke. You already got it and are on your way to making the next one. Thanks, babe! You really make socializing a lot easier for me.

We’re best friends because you love me even when I’m terrible. It’s easy to love someone when they’re doing well, it’s easy when there’s nothing but happiness and good vibes. The real challenge comes when everything is crap. You’re not a fun person to be around, people are screening your number and you’re a damn social pariah. But you don’t care. Even at my most Carrie Bradshaw, you’re still down to get brunch with me and talk about dicks.

We’re best friends because I can take you anywhere and you’ll adapt. Whether it’s the chicest party or some insufferable family gathering, you’ll deal with it like a champ. I don’t have to worry about leaving you alone or keeping you entertained. You go do your thing. I do mine. Let’s meet back at the bar in an hour.

We’re best friends because you never make me uncomfortable. I think about most of my friends and realize that they’ve made me feel weird at some point in our friendship. Whether it’s from an awkward silence or an off-color remark, I’ve felt unsure about them. Not you though. I always know that you make sense and that this makes sense.

We’re best friends because we can go for long stretches of time without talking and it won’t damage the relationship. We always pick up where we left off. Surfaces changes mean nothing to us. You could become a vegan who goes by Moonshadow and attends Burning Man, and I would still feel closer to you than anyone else. We don’t need common interests in order to connect. We don’t need a mutual love of music or sports or whatever to keep us together.

We’re best friends because you don’t get resentful or jealous if I get into a relationship or land an amazing job. I mean, maybe you are and that’s fine. The important thing is that you keep it to yourself like a best friend should.

You’re my best friend because you’re not afraid to call me out on my crap or disagree with me. I can’t get away with anything when I’m with you. You’ll tell me things that I need to hear but everyone else is too afraid to tell me. Your honesty is so damn refreshing albeit a bitter pill to swallow sometimes.

We’re best friends because you make feel less alone in this psycho, flaky world. It’s amazing how often you can feel disconnected from people. It’s amazing how many people can betray you, or fail to understand the words that are coming out of your mouth. When I see you, it’s a burst of reassurance that I’m not the only who looks at the world this way. There’s someone else. And that someone is you. TC mark

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image – Buffy The Vampire Slayer

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  • JB

    NHA-
    I love you.
    JSB

  • Weisler Alex

    Love this.

  • http://twitter.com/palespectre flipside of a memory

    It makes me feel good that as much as I seem to lack friends,  I was  at least able to think of one person that this article seems to be pertaining to. :)

  • http://twitter.com/palespectre flipside of a memory

    It makes me feel good that as much as I seem to lack friends,  I was  at least able to think of one person that this article seems to be pertaining to. :)

  • http://twitter.com/palespectre flipside of a memory

    It makes me feel good that as much as I seem to lack friends,  I was  at least able to think of one person that this article seems to be pertaining to. :)

  • http://twitter.com/palespectre flipside of a memory

    It makes me feel good that as much as I seem to lack friends,  I was  at least able to think of one person that this article seems to be pertaining to. :)

  • http://twitter.com/palespectre flipside of a memory

    It makes me feel good that as much as I seem to lack friends,  I was  at least able to think of one person that this article seems to be pertaining to. :)

  • http://twitter.com/palespectre flipside of a memory

    It makes me feel good that as much as I seem to lack friends,  I was  at least able to think of one person that this article seems to be pertaining to. :)

  • http://twitter.com/palespectre flipside of a memory

    It makes me feel good that as much as I seem to lack friends,  I was  at least able to think of one person that this article seems to be pertaining to. :)

  • http://twitter.com/palespectre flipside of a memory

    It makes me feel good that as much as I seem to lack friends,  I was  at least able to think of one person that this article seems to be pertaining to. :)

  • http://twitter.com/palespectre flipside of a memory

    It makes me feel good that as much as I seem to lack friends,  I was  at least able to think of one person that this article seems to be pertaining to. :)

  • http://twitter.com/palespectre flipside of a memory

    It makes me feel good that as much as I seem to lack friends,  I was  at least able to think of one person that this article seems to be pertaining to. :)

  • http://twitter.com/palespectre flipside of a memory

    It makes me feel good that as much as I seem to lack friends,  I was  at least able to think of one person that this article seems to be pertaining to. :)

  • http://twitter.com/palespectre flipside of a memory

    It makes me feel good that as much as I seem to lack friends,  I was  at least able to think of one person that this article seems to be pertaining to. :)

  • http://twitter.com/palespectre flipside of a memory

    It makes me feel good that as much as I seem to lack friends,  I was  at least able to think of one person that this article seems to be pertaining to. :)

  • http://twitter.com/palespectre flipside of a memory

    It makes me feel good that as much as I seem to lack friends,  I was  at least able to think of one person that this article seems to be pertaining to. :)

  • http://twitter.com/palespectre flipside of a memory

    It makes me feel good that as much as I seem to lack friends,  I was  at least able to think of one person that this article seems to be pertaining to. :)

  • http://twitter.com/palespectre flipside of a memory

    It makes me feel good that as much as I seem to lack friends,  I was  at least able to think of one person that this article seems to be pertaining to. :)

  • http://twitter.com/palespectre flipside of a memory

    It makes me feel good that as much as I seem to lack friends,  I was  at least able to think of one person that this article seems to be pertaining to. :)

  • http://twitter.com/palespectre flipside of a memory

    It makes me feel good that as much as I seem to lack friends,  I was  at least able to think of one person that this article seems to be pertaining to. :)

  • http://twitter.com/palespectre flipside of a memory

    It makes me feel good that as much as I seem to lack friends,  I was  at least able to think of one person that this article seems to be pertaining to. :)

  • http://twitter.com/palespectre flipside of a memory

    It makes me feel good that as much as I seem to lack friends,  I was  at least able to think of one person that this article seems to be pertaining to. :)

  • http://twitter.com/palespectre flipside of a memory

    It makes me feel good that as much as I seem to lack friends,  I was  at least able to think of one person that this article seems to be pertaining to. :)

  • http://twitter.com/palespectre flipside of a memory

    It makes me feel good that as much as I seem to lack friends,  I was  at least able to think of one person that this article seems to be pertaining to. :)

  • http://twitter.com/palespectre flipside of a memory

    It makes me feel good that as much as I seem to lack friends,  I was  at least able to think of one person that this article seems to be pertaining to. :)

  • http://twitter.com/palespectre flipside of a memory

    It makes me feel good that as much as I seem to lack friends,  I was  at least able to think of one person that this article seems to be pertaining to. :)

  • http://twitter.com/palespectre flipside of a memory

    It makes me feel good that as much as I seem to lack friends,  I was  at least able to think of one person that this article seems to be pertaining to. :)

  • http://twitter.com/palespectre flipside of a memory

    It makes me feel good that as much as I seem to lack friends,  I was  at least able to think of one person that this article seems to be pertaining to. :)

  • http://twitter.com/palespectre flipside of a memory

    It makes me feel good that as much as I seem to lack friends,  I was  at least able to think of one person that this article seems to be pertaining to. :)

  • http://twitter.com/palespectre flipside of a memory

    It makes me feel good that as much as I seem to lack friends,  I was  at least able to think of one person that this article seems to be pertaining to. :)

  • http://twitter.com/palespectre flipside of a memory

    It makes me feel good that as much as I seem to lack friends,  I was  at least able to think of one person that this article seems to be pertaining to. :)

  • http://twitter.com/palespectre flipside of a memory

    It makes me feel good that as much as I seem to lack friends,  I was  at least able to think of one person that this article seems to be pertaining to. :)

  • http://twitter.com/palespectre flipside of a memory

    It makes me feel good that as much as I seem to lack friends,  I was  at least able to think of one person that this article seems to be pertaining to. :)

  • http://twitter.com/palespectre flipside of a memory

    It makes me feel good that as much as I seem to lack friends,  I was  at least able to think of one person that this article seems to be pertaining to. :)

  • http://twitter.com/palespectre flipside of a memory

    It makes me feel good that as much as I seem to lack friends,  I was  at least able to think of one person that this article seems to be pertaining to. :)

  • http://twitter.com/palespectre flipside of a memory

    It makes me feel good that as much as I seem to lack friends,  I was  at least able to think of one person that this article seems to be pertaining to. :)

  • http://twitter.com/palespectre flipside of a memory

    It makes me feel good that as much as I seem to lack friends,  I was  at least able to think of one person that this article seems to be pertaining to. :)

  • http://twitter.com/palespectre flipside of a memory

    It makes me feel good that as much as I seem to lack friends,  I was  at least able to think of one person that this article seems to be pertaining to. :)

  • http://twitter.com/palespectre flipside of a memory

    It makes me feel good that as much as I seem to lack friends,  I was  at least able to think of one person that this article seems to be pertaining to. :)

  • http://twitter.com/palespectre flipside of a memory

    It makes me feel good that as much as I seem to lack friends,  I was  at least able to think of one person that this article seems to be pertaining to. :)

  • http://twitter.com/palespectre flipside of a memory

    It makes me feel good that as much as I seem to lack friends,  I was  at least able to think of one person that this article seems to be pertaining to. :)

  • http://twitter.com/tannnyaya Tanya Salyers

    <3 

  • Sophia

    immediately posted this on my best friend’s wall. i love you for writing this.

  • BAM!!

    I’m lucky to be able to post this on 6 Facebook walls. i loooove my best friends

  • http://www.facebook.com/grc15r Gregory Costa

    We’re best friends because we’ve got a Delores Claiborne/Vera Donovan relationship.  We may as well hate the world and each other together. 

  • http://www.twitter.com/mexifrida Frida

    Isn’t it great to be able to picture someone while reading this?
    I hope this is always the case, and that it keeps being the same person.

  • Markhamf

    Reading this made both my best friend and I cry over BBM. Amazing. It was like you were there the last 3.5 most supportive years of my life.

  • zm

    there is one person in my life that this pertains to ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY SIX POINT FIVE PERCENT.  i thank the universe for that person. 

  • Anonymous

    Fml. My best friend is my boyfriend

  • AJ

    Umm you just made my day with this reference.

  • Anonymous

    i LOVE that the pic on this is buffy and willow <3

  • nelle

    dear eugene, i hope you are reading the comments because i’m thinking of you

  • MM

    this one is probably one of the best TC posts ever! 

  • MM

    this one is probably one of the best TC posts ever! 

  • MM

    this one is probably one of the best TC posts ever! 

  • MM

    this one is probably one of the best TC posts ever! 

  • MM

    this one is probably one of the best TC posts ever! 

  • MM

    this one is probably one of the best TC posts ever! 

  • MM

    this one is probably one of the best TC posts ever! 

  • MM

    this one is probably one of the best TC posts ever! 

  • MM

    this one is probably one of the best TC posts ever! 

  • asdjf

    maybe ya’ll will get hitched

  • mp15

    I sent this to one best friend who lives 10 hours away and another best friend who I haven’t seen in 3 years. They’re totally different people, but this fits both of them and our friendships so well. Sometimes you forget how lucky you are to have someone in your life. <3

  • Csc

    Is it so sad that I used to have people like this… but I suppose they weren’t really where they? they found someone better and now im just the outcast after having a falling out with him, so many people I had a friendship exactly like this with… now just a ‘ friend ‘ kinda even an aquaintence for some… FML… oh well life moves on :D

  • Jeeem

    My best friend is my dog.  Personally, I prefer animals to people.

    -Jeeem-

  • Anna

    This is sweet :) Thanks for this one, Ryan!

  • Floris56

    This piece works well. I kept expecting it to take a bad turn somewhere, but it never did. Thought it might dissolve into smaltz or harden into derisiveness. It stayed cool.

  • KD Herald

    I wonder if people like this really exist.
    Lovely post, Ryan

  • Madeline Sprute

    I am like 90% sure that the author is describing a dog.

  • Madeline Sprute

    I am like 90% sure that the author is describing a dog.

  • Rmeyer5

    they do! cuz i have it with my best friend. this really is perfect ryan. my bestie and i see each other about twice a year, our lives are completely different now as the years have gone by, we both are into totally different everything, and yet, she is still one of the only people i would run to if my world crashed down, if i needed a smile, or if i had a joke to share. thanks ryan for reminding me of how lucky i am to have her!

  • Libbykarel

    ^^^^ this is seriously how me and my bestfriend are

  • ben

    yeah puppies are cute, you can even show them off.

  • Jimberini

    WTF are you talking about?

  • Daddysaysno

    you re all dickheads. population riddled with dumbasses. take your bf and go fuck yourselves

  • jizzicuh

    this is sort of incredibly cheesy but so awesome and true! makes me miss my best fwend

  • Felicia-May Stevenson

    Hi!  This is so beautiful, I had to reblog.  You can check it out with my comments on http://feliciamaystevenson.blogspot.com/2011/10/youre-my-best-friend-for-ever.html

    Thank you for the inspiration ;)

  • Guest

    bitch stole your stuff: http://lucylucid.wordpress.com/2011/10/22/this-is-why-you-are-my-best-friend/#comment-316

  • Cherrybombboo

    They Do, I found mine and I would never give him up! :)

  • 05alicat

    This is lovely. It is all the things we think but never say.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_B6WQ6FEBJ2CMAVR74A5DBMZU6A santiago

    I wonder myself. I’ve never had a friend like this.

  • Sarah

    >.< 
    My best friend sent me here.

  • Sarah

    >.< 
    My best friend sent me here.

  • Sarah

    >.< 
    My best friend sent me here.

  • Saakshi

    My best frnd sent me here too…<3

  • casual observer

    I suddenly feel very alone.

  • OBJECTIVE OBSERVER

    I suddenly feel very lonely.

  • http://thoughtcatalog.com/author/bee-jones/ Bee

    This is great. It’s great for many reasons; you were able to capture such an intangible concept in a non-cheesy, direct, and witty piece is excellent. It’s also refreshing from all the bitch-whine-snarky-fml commentary on ThoughtCatalog. 

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