Wellness
They tend to feel like your favorite cant-live-without jeans.
According to TikTok, this person holds a special title: thetenured friend.
According to Mika, a tenured friend is someone whos pretty much guaranteed tobe in your life forever.
One commenter said, My longest friend is 30 years.
We arent close anymore but [when we talk its] like no time has passed.
We met in preschool.
Either way, theyre total icons in your life.
Thats what helps them last.
Theres also a foundation of trust and loyalty, similar to the kind you have with a relative.
At a certain point, Manly says they transcend beyond a casual pal and turn into something more.
There is a sense of ease and familiarity with a tenured friend that allows for greater vulnerability and intimacy.
Below, here are some signs that your friendship has officially been tenured.
Its an understanding in their friendship that if she calls, the other has to drop everything to talk.
On these calls you might talk about everything and nothing, and it usually last for hours.
This is great when you dont have a partner or any family nearby.
To sweeten the deal, you always offer to let them stay overnight.
They Attend Your Familys Events
Most tenured friends feel more like a family member than a pal.
And in a way, they do.
They know where everything is in your house, and can often be found cleaning up the kitchen alone.
Theres no need to impress them with exciting plans, like a fancy brunch or a whirlwind night out.
At this point in your relationship, itsOK to do nothing together.
As a bonus, this is the friend to call when youre craving Taco Bell at midnight.
They will happily sip a Baja Blast in any random parking lot.
If they live far away, theyll FaceTime as a way to keep you company.
This crew doesnt even have to be lured over with promises of pizza or beer.
They arent going to ask questions, but theywillwant all the tea once youre settled in your new place.
Chances are theyll be yourmaid of honor and theyll absolutely kill their speech.
Theyre just as excited as you are to get dressed up and go out.
Thats their duty as your permanent pal, and they never let you down.
Source:
Dr. Carla Marie Manly, clinical psychologist, host of theImperfect Lovepodcast
