10 Signs You’ve Found Your Forever Friend

1. You’re more than a convenient friend to them.

If you’re the last friend person they contact when they want to hang out or they only come over because you’ve got WiFi, you might just be a friend of convenience. It doesn’t feel good to be used, and you shouldn’t allow people to use you. A genuine friend will want to be around you because they like you, not because they’re desperate or need something that you have.

2. They put the phone down when they’re hanging out with you.

In today’s world, it’s easy to get caught up in social media, even when it’s inappropriate. If your friend is polite enough to leave their phone alone when they’re hanging out with you, they respect you and value your time; you should give them the same courtesy.

3. They want to do more than party.

While it’s nice to cut loose, it’s not healthy to have friends who do nothing but party. There’s a big difference between a night out and a party-all-the time lifestyle. There’s more to life than getting drunk. A good friend is a friend who wants to get out with you. Go hiking, take road trips, go out for a meal, shop, whatever. They want to experience life with you outside of a bar.

4. They stick around—even if you’ve gotten married and had children.

A lot of people, myself included, lose friends after they get hitched or have a kid or two. That’s pretty normal, and you can’t really blame your single or childless friends for not wanting to hang out too much. It happens! You know you’ve got a great friend if they put in the effort to keep in touch even after you’ve reproduced!

5. They’re generally a positive person.

This doesn’t mean that everything their life is perfect or going exactly according to plan. Having a positive attitude means they can find the good in every situation, and when things don’t go their way, they find a solution rather than focusing on the problem. Being positive also means they’re not one to gossip and they don’t encourage you to gossip, either. They don’t waste energy on negativity.

6. They set goals and follow through.

People with goals are always looking to improve their life in one way or another. Having friends who strive to achieve their goals will inspire you to achieve your own goals, and it’s nice to have someone to look up to.

7. They hold you accountable and encourage you.

A good friend isn’t going to let you be lazy and give up, at least not without a fight. These are the kinds of people you want on your team. It’s also important to have friends who encourage you to work toward your goals.

8. They’re there for you.

Whether you’re having a good day, a bad day, or a so-so day, they’ve got your back. They revel in your joy, celebrate your triumphs, and offer a shoulder to sob on if you ever need it.

9. You’re happy to see them.

If you look forward to seeing your friend and catching up with them, if their beautiful smile makes your day better, you’ve found yourself a winner.

10. They tell you they love you.

And you love them, too.