The one who speaks half in inside jokes, half in actual conversation, because you’ve accumulated so many weird words and noises and even forms of eye contact over your time together that it’s as though you’ve created your own language. The one who can make you burst into stomach-pain-inducing gales of laughter with a little series of specific noises.
The one you can always depend on to live-text something really weird or funny, because if you’re not both there to share it, that means you have to be on your phone as much as possible relaying the details and telling them about that thing that they just won’t believe, you have to get a picture, you’re trying but this woman with big hair is in the way, omgomgomg.
The one who thinks of you before they think of themselves, who gets a little thrill out of doing nice things for no reason, who shows up with coffee or your exact favorite bagel order or a movie you’ve been waiting to watch together – and who knows you love to do the exact same things for them.
The one who will go drink-for-drink with you all night, then meet you for a greasy brunch the next day and insist on ordering the tater tots, because you earned them.
The one who was there when bad things happened, who wrote you right away to ask if you were okay, if you needed anything, if they could come by – and really meant it. Everyone else might offer a little word here or there, but you know that they are the only one who would really drop everything, no matter what, and come help you feel better. They will bring you wine and snacks during your breakup, re-watch your favorite movie that you’ve seen eight times when you didn’t get that job, make you a bowl of soup when you’re really, really sick.
The one who remembers the things that are really important, who is there for big events and small ones that are only important to you. The one who actually calls you on your birthday, who actually makes a point to see you with big news, who doesn’t rely on social media to remember what matters.
The one who says they love you and means it, because friend-love is no less special or in need of being expressed than romantic love.
The one who isn’t afraid to give you shit, who tells you exactly what you need to hear, who won’t let you leave the house with one eyebrow wonky. The one who tells you when you’re being an asshole, and gives you the honest advice that you don’t want to hear but absolutely need to. The one who loves you enough to respect you with the truth, and who wants you to be the best possible version of yourself that you can be, even if that means a little tough love to get there.
The one who keeps your secrets, who knows everything but shares nothing because they know that you have nothing if you don’t have absolute trust.
The one who makes just sitting on a bed, eating snacks and marathonning YouTube videos the absolute best way to spend a weekend. The one who makes you look forward to rainy days because you have an excuse to hole up and be hermits and watch your favorite, weird things while getting tipsy by yourselves.
The one who makes you feel at home, no matter how long you’ve known them, no matter how you met them. The one who immediately became irreplaceable, who knows you better than you know yourself – who feels like family the way family should always be, fun and happy and totally without judgment or malice. The one who makes you feel loved, and realize that you deserve to be.