OK girls, this isn’t a list of personality types or tropes; it’s a list of relationship dynamics.
Focusing on dynamics reinforce the idea that friendship is based on a diverse range of connections and relationships—not tropes. In other words, despite the many movies, tv shows, or books that stereotype female friend groups, not every girl needs the sporty bestie or the fashion forward bestie. Every girl needs the bestie that’s caring and reliable AF (Mom Bestie) and the bestie that’s their role model (Big Bestie).
Note that these types of besties can overlap or change over time—in fact, the strongest friendships definitely will!
MOM BESTIES – THEY’RE ALWAYS THERE FOR YOU
Like all the iconic moms out there in the world, Mom Besties are caring, nurturing, and hella supportive. They’re the friends who will pick you up from the airport if you can’t afford a cab; the friends who will enthusiastically support your creative endeavors; and the friends who will take care of you when you’re sick/wounded/hungover/all-of-the-above.
Your Mom Bestie isn’t your actual mom—they don’t even have to be mothers at all—but you always know that they’ll be there for you no matter what!
BIG BESTIES – THE ONES YOU LOOK UP TO
Think of that friend who is your definition of #goals. They’re successful, ambitious, creative, happily content with their lives, or whatever other positive adjective you strive for.
Your Big Bestie is your role model.
LITTLE BESTIES – THE ONES WHO LOOK UP TO YOU
As much as we like to revere our Big Besties, it’s always good to remember that we can all be Big Besties to other people—our Little Besties.
Little Besties can include friends who are younger than you, good friends who started off as fans of your work, coworkers who learn from you, etc. No matter who they are, they look up to you, and that should serve as a grounding reminder that you have something valuable to offer the world.
TWIN BESTIES – THYE UNDERSTAND YOU LIKE NO ONE ELSE
You most likely became friends with your Twin Bestie after many iterations of “SAME” in one conversation.
You and your Twin Bestie like the same foods, dress alike (#twinning), listen to the same music, have similar backgrounds, etc. Sometimes it’s just too uncanny for some people—and let’s be honest, it can start off as a little much to you too—but it’s always nice having someone who understands and relates to you the way no one else can.
OPPOSITE BESTIE – THE FRIENDSHIP NO ONE ELSE UNDERSTANDS
For every friend that is just like you, every girl should have a friend that is the exact opposite.
If you grew up in the city, your Opposite Bestie grew up on a farm; if you love bright, vibrant colors, they love dark, muted ones. At first glance, people would never guess you two knew each other.
Unlike your Twin Bestie, your Opposite Bestie can offer you different perspectives—advice you would have never thought of on your own—when you’re in need of help and someone to talk to. You two learn from each other, push each other out of your comfort zones, and live your lives with a few more surprises.
PARTNER BESTIES – AKA YOUR WORK WIFE
Think Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo, Gayle King and Oprah Winfrey, or Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton. Your Partner Bestie is the one you work and collaborate best with.
Professionally or academically, you and your Partner Bestie have dominated class projects, impressed your colleagues and superiors, motivated each other to work your hardest, and shared countless high fives and pitchers of coffee.
LONG DISTANCE BESTIES – THE ONES WORTH TRAVELING FOR
Friends don’t always stay in one place their entire lives, and as hard as it may be to be apart, friendships with a little distance in them can become the ones that last the longest.
Your Long Distance Besties are the ones you have back home—the ones you’ve had since childhood; they’re the friends you make while abroad, but keep in touch with as often as you can; and they’re the friends you make an effort to see every year or so—no matter the cost of gas or plane tickets.
Need to add a new vina in your life? Start swiping here!
(Feature image via @abyssiniang)
VINAZINE 