Marriage is considered as one of the most important decisions in one’s life. It is a promise to spend a lifetime together with someone who brings happiness and love into your life. But what if that someone is your best friend? What if you decide to marry your best friend? The idea of marrying your best friend might seem strange to some people, but it is not a new concept at all. It is a decision that can come with a lot of benefits and can make your married life more beautiful and meaningful. In this blog post, we will explore the advantages and possible challenges of marrying your best friend.
Advantages of Marrying Your Best Friend
There are several advantages of marrying your best friend that you might not experience in other marriages. Some of these benefits are:
1. Strong Emotional Connection
When you marry your best friend, you already have a strong emotional connection with them. You trust each other completely and feel secure in your partner’s company. You know their likes and dislikes, their strengths and weaknesses. This kind of emotional connection can help you in building a strong foundation for your marriage.
2. Excellent Communication Skills
Communication is the foundation of any healthy relationship. When you are married to your best friend, communication between the two of you comes naturally. You can talk about anything and everything without any fear of being judged. You can have an open and honest conversation and can easily understand each other’s perspectives.
3. Shared Interests and Hobbies
When you are married to your best friend, you probably share common interests and hobbies. You might enjoy spending time together doing things you both love, like watching movies, traveling, or simply going out for a walk. Your shared interests and hobbies can help in strengthening your bond and can bring more fun and excitement to your married life.
4. Understanding and Supportive Partner
When you marry your best friend, you are assured of having an understanding, supportive and non-judgmental partner. Someone who always has your back. They know you inside out and would never judge you for your actions. They would always be there to support and encourage you through every step of your life.
Challenges of Marrying Your Best Friend
Although marrying your best friend comes with several advantages, it is not always a bed of roses. There are also possible challenges that you might face.
1. Losing the Friendship
One of the possible challenges of marrying your best friend is that you might lose the friendship that you had before marriage. Sometimes, getting married to someone can change things in ways you might not have expected, and this could put a strain on your friendship.
2. Romantic Compatibility
Just because two people are best friends, does not mean they are romantically compatible. If there is no romantic spark between the two of you, your marriage might become dull and unexciting. Even with a strong friendship as a foundation, some couples just aren’t meant to be together romantically.
3. Jealousy and Insecurities
Sometimes, the closeness of a friendship can lead to jealousy and insecurity, especially when it comes to other people in your lives. Having a partner who is overly close with a friend can be confusing and distressing, leading to a lack of trust and communication in the relationship.
Conclusion
In conclusion, marrying your best friend can be a wonderful decision if you weigh up the pros and cons. It can be a great way to build and strengthen a strong, healthy relationship with someone who will always be there for you. But it’s important to remember that every relationship is different, and what works for some people may not work for others.
If you’re considering marrying your best friend, take the time to really consider whether the two of you are romantically compatible and whether you’re both prepared to put in the work to make your relationship successful. With the right foundation and attitude, marrying your best friend could be the best decision of your life.
FAQ
What percentage of best friends marry each other?
It’s a common scenario that two individuals with great chemistry and a strong bond become the best of friends, sharing experiences, secrets, and spending a lot of time together. In some rare cases, they may take their relationship to the next level, deciding to become romantically involved.
The question is, how often does this happen? What percentage of best friends end up getting married to each other? While there is no way to determine an exact answer, various studies and surveys have attempted to address the question.
One survey conducted by the dating website Plenty of Fish found that of the 76 percent of respondents who admitted to having a romantic relationship with their best friend, 29 percent resulted in marriage. This shows that a little over a quarter of those who developed romantic feelings for their best friend ended up getting married.
The same survey also found out that only 51 percent of the respondents were able to “stay friends” with their former best friend after breaking up. The rest found it too awkward or difficult to continue having a friendship after the romantic relationship ended.
Another study that addressed the question looked at data from 1983 to 1999 and found that the percentage of couples who were friends before getting romantically involved increased from 11 percent to 47 percent. Therefore, friends were a more common romantic partner choice in the late 90s compared to the early 80s.
It’s important to note that these studies are not definitive answers and that every relationship is unique. However, the results do show that it is possible for some best friends to become lifelong partners. while the percentage of best friends who end up getting married is relatively low, it’s not impossible to transition from best friends to spouses.
Why do best friends make the best lovers?
Best friends are known for having a strong emotional bond founded on a deep understanding, trust, and mutual respect. They enjoy each other’s company and share many similar interests, making spending time together fun and enjoyable. All of these qualities that define a best friendship also happen to be qualities that define successful intimate relationships, which is why best friends often make the best lovers.
One of the most crucial aspects of a successful relationship is having a deep sense of trust. Best friends have already developed a strong sense of trust in each other, making them more comfortable in opening up emotionally and physically. This allows them to be more vulnerable and honest with each other, which are essential elements for building a satisfying romantic relationship.
Another critical element of sustaining a healthy relationship is the level of support couples provide to each other. Best friends are usually reliable sources of support during tough times, like breakups or job layoffs. When the relationship moves to the next level, lovers who were once best friends still maintain this support system, enhancing the emotional and physical intimacy they share.
When intimate partners’ interests and hobbies align, their bond and attraction grow stronger. Best friends often have many shared interests, whether it’s binge-watching the latest television shows, playing video games or indulging in adventurous activities. Engaging in these activities together strengthens their emotional bond, making intimacy more enjoyable and satisfying.
Lastly, the connection that best friends share is founded on years of laughter, shared memories, and experiences, creating a shared history that is irreplaceable. This bond goes a long way in nurturing a healthy and long-lasting romantic relationship. Allowing partners to explore new areas of affection without having to worry about building an emotional connection they already have.
Relationships often thrive when both partners have a strong foundation of trust, mutual interest, respect, and emotional support. These qualities define best friendships, and as such, best friends often make the best lovers. Their bond is solid and has already been tested over time, making them more comfortable with each other, open to being vulnerable, and, most importantly, enjoy an irreplaceable emotional and physical connection.
Is it a good idea to marry a friend?
Marrying a friend is a topic that has been debated for years. Some believe it’s a great idea, while others think it’s better to marry someone you are romantically attracted to. However, recent studies have shed light on the importance of marrying someone who is also your best friend.
According to research conducted by renowned relationship experts, John and Julie Gottman, having a strong friendship is one of the key components of a successful marriage. The Gottmans found that couples who consider each other their best friend are not only happier in their relationship, but they are also more likely to stay together in the long run. When couples have a strong friendship, they tend to communicate more openly, have more trust, and feel more secure in their relationship.
Another study conducted by the National Bureau of Economic Research in Canada found that marrying your best friend can lead to higher life satisfaction. The study found that individuals who married their best friend reported higher emotional well-being and happiness compared to those who married someone they weren’t as close to.
Marrying a friend also has several practical benefits. When you marry someone you know well, there are fewer surprises, and you have a good idea of what to expect in your partner’s behavior and attitudes. Additionally, couples who were friends before marriage tend to have a solid foundation for their relationship, making it easier to navigate challenges and conflicts that may arise over time.
Of course, there are also some potential downsides to marrying a friend. Some worry that marrying a friend could ruin the friendship if the relationship doesn’t work out. Others may feel that marrying someone they are not romantically attracted to may not be fulfilling in the long term.
The research seems to suggest that marrying a friend is a good idea. Having a solid foundation of friendship is critical for a successful marriage, and marrying your best friend can lead to higher levels of happiness and life satisfaction. While there may be some risks involved, the potential benefits of marrying a friend make it a worthwhile consideration for those looking for a lifelong partner.
How it feels when you fall in love with your best friend?
Falling in love with your best friend can be one of the most confusing and emotionally charged experiences in life. It’s like navigating a labyrinth, where every path seems to lead to dead ends. Initially, you might try to deny or suppress your feelings, hoping that they’ll eventually go away. But as time passes, you find yourself falling deeper and deeper in love with this person whom you already know so well.
One of the most noticeable indicators that you’ve fallen in love with your best friend is the presence of certain physiological symptoms. For instance, you may feel shakiness, sweating, dry mouth, or butterflies in your stomach whenever you’re around them. These symptoms are caused by the rush of adrenaline and other hormones that flood your body in response to the strong emotions you’re feeling.
Another sign that you’re falling in love with your best friend is that you go the extra mile whenever they need anything, much more than you would for other friends. You may find yourself dropping everything else just to spend time with them or to help them out with their problems. This level of selflessness and care is usually reserved for romantic partners, not just friends.
As you fall in love with your best friend, you may also start to feel jealous of their romantic relationships. This is especially true if you see them with someone who is not you. It’s not uncommon to feel a pang of envy or sadness whenever they mention their partner or talk about how much they care for them. You may even find yourself comparing yourself to their partner, wondering why they can’t see how much better you are for them.
Falling in love with your best friend is a complicated emotional experience that can leave you feeling vulnerable and confused. However, if you’re willing to take the risk and tell them how you feel, it may lead to a beautiful and fulfilling romantic relationship.
Is it possible for best friends to get married?
When it comes to the question of whether best friends can get married, the answer is yes, it is possible. In fact, marriage is not limited to just romantic partners and spouses. Any two consenting adults in the United States, regardless of their genders or relationship, can legally get married.
However, getting married does not necessarily mean that the two friends will obtain any legal benefits or recognition beyond what they already have as friends. For instance, in most states, there are no legal rights to inherit property or make medical decisions for a non-spouse partner, which could be an issue if the two friends were hoping to gain such benefits through marriage.
On the other hand, a handful of states, including Maine, Maryland, and Colorado, allow friends to gain legal recognition through registration as domestic partners. This would provide some of the benefits enjoyed by couples in a marriage, such as shared health insurance and the ability to make medical decisions for each other. Additionally, some employers and organizations extend spousal benefits to domestic partners, further increasing the practical benefits of registration.
While marrying a best friend may not be a practical option for everyone, it may be a viable choice for some. The decision to marry should be based on the desires and goals of the individuals involved, and whether marriage makes the most sense for their particular situation. So, the answer to whether best friends can get married is a simple ‘yes’; whether it’s advisable depends on various factors and circumstances.