Friends come and go. But these six types of friendships are the ones that matter. If you’re lucky enough to have even one of these ladies in your life, consider yourself blessed. And if you happen to have all six types of friends in your circle of support, then you’ve hit the bestie jackpot.
1. The one you’ve known FOREVER
Facebook friends for 15 years. Yeah, right, Facebook, try 35 years! This friendship is older than Mark Zuckerburg and continues to flourish, even if it’s in the background. Your forever friend isn’t always front and centre, but she’s always there.
And when you do catch up, it’s like no time has passed. She’s still the same mate you practiced kissing pillows with and the same person you used to make up dances with to Run DMC. She knew you in your childhood, teenagehood, naughty 20s, dirty 30s and as a boring old mum who still likes to break it down to Run DMC now and then.
She knew the person you were and the person you’ve grown into, and she’s loved every version of you along the way. And when you do get together, the conversation will always end in laughter as you recall those inside jokes from back in the day that live rent-free in the very back of your mind.
Your forever friend loves your kids and your life now but she also holds a special place in your parent’s heart as the teenage bestie who was by your side through the platform heels and crimped hair days.
2. The non-judge JudyÂ
She knows about that time you accidentally got too drunk at your work Christmas party. In fact, she was the one who came and picked you up and never mentioned it again. She saw your breasts more than your husband during your breastfeeding days due to her unannounced visits, complete with cake and toilet paper. And she is always in your corner, even if you do something stupid or are actually in the wrong.
She’s the friend you call when life sucks, when you’re failing as a parent and when you’re ready to run away. She’s there to cheer you on, talk you off a ledge and slap some sense into you when you need it. But she does so with patience, humour and kindness. She’s there to give you advice if you need it, but mostly, she’s just there to let you know that someone gets you.
3. The “only one drink” friend
Catch-ups are few and far between but when they happen, watch out. A civilised dinner turns into a trip to the tattoo parlour, an indoor skydive, a karaoke bar and stumbling home at 4am with a kabob in your hand and plenty of laughs (and drinks) in your belly.
Sure, you regret everything the next day but it’s always a good time and you know, if you ever need to let off some steam, put on your dancing shoes or simply be something other than “mum”, she’s ready to call the Uber and meet you on the dance floor.
4. The motivator mateÂ
This friend is the one you call when you need that extra motivation and perhaps some decent life advice. She most likely has a different perspective on life than you and sometimes it’s refreshing to get together and breathe in her energy. She’s the one who is always happy to join you on new adventures or at least guide you and offer advice that is actually wanted, not just given.
The motivator mate is a great one to go to for a bitch session or when you’re feeling bleurgh because she somehow has this magical way to bring out the positives while also letting you vent. After catching up with your motivator, you feel inspired, energised and ready to take on the world, or at least the kids for the afternoon.
5. The work wifeÂ
Your work wife is your saviour at work, the one who knows your work struggles because she’s at the desk next to you. Husbands make terrible work wives because they don’t know most of the people you work with which is why a real work wife is needed.
She’s the person who knows all about the counterproductive co-workers, the long-winded meetings and the office gossip that your other friends aren’t familiar with. Your work wife makes work fun, even the super boring tasks, and she’s always there, ready to roll her eyes with you and share a sneaky after-work drink where you can laugh through the horrors of the day and prepare to do it all over again tomorrow.
6. The mother-daughter friendshipÂ
This isn’t a MUST. But if you are lucky enough to have a daughter that you also consider to be one of your best friends, then you’ll understand why I had to include this type of friendship. When they are babies, our daughters idolise us mums. As toddlers, they adore us. As young girls, they appreciate us. As teens, they tolerate us. As adults, they respect us.
As our daughters get older, the mother-daughter bond is one that remains in the background, dormant when that is what they want, but explosive when they need us. It’s a bond that probably seems to get less obvious as they grow but trust us, just like mums, this friendship is always there.
