Life is filled with predictable moments. You can almost guarantee that if you wash your car, it will rain, or if you Google any random symptom, you’ll convince yourself of a dire illness. Social media doesn’t escape this pattern either. When someone shares their anniversary or posts a sentimental meme, the phrase “best friend” is often included. “I married my best friend,” they say. “So lucky to wake up next to my best friend every day.” But I don’t subscribe to this notion. My husband isn’t just my best friend; he’s so much more.
Labeling him as my best friend feels like saying “it’s a bit windy” during a hurricane or calling the Grand Canyon merely a hole in the ground. No simple phrase can adequately capture the depth of our bond.
Now, before you roll your eyes or feel a wave of nausea, let me clarify: this isn’t about portraying us as an extraordinary couple or claiming our love story is superior to others. We’re just an ordinary couple who has journeyed together through the years. We argue over trivial matters and significant issues alike, often due to one of us being stubborn (and it’s definitely never me). We clash on both vital and trivial topics, and life sometimes gets in the way, making it easy to forget how long it’s been since our last date night. He knows how to push my buttons better than anyone else, often with just the right look or gesture (like choosing the worst moments to, let’s say, relieve himself).
The beauty of our relationship lies not in the ability to annoy each other, but in the profound understanding we share. While my best friends might know I’m terrified of zombies, my husband knows this fear stems from a childhood incident when my siblings allowed me to watch Return of the Living Dead at the tender age of five (thanks, guys!).
My best friends may remember my dislike for fish or know the hangover tequila gives me, but my husband knows the nitty-gritty: my social security number, the medication that causes me to swell like a balloon, and the backstory of the worn-out stuffed bear residing in our bedroom. He understands how I’ll react in various situations, the things I hold dear, and the fears that haunt me. He perceives the unspoken feelings that linger beneath the surface.
I cherish my best friends—they play a crucial role in my happiness and are dear to my heart. We’ve shared countless joyous moments together. However, I’ve never faced significant life decisions based on their experiences. I’ve never sobbed alongside them as life unraveled or fought passionately to mend our shared struggles. My friends can provide advice, but their emotional investment isn’t the same; at the end of the day, it’s not their life on the line. When I think of them, I don’t feel my heart clench in a way that threatens to burst.
Friendships require effort, but they don’t demand the same level of commitment as a marriage. While friendships are often simpler, marriage is a different beast altogether. It necessitates hard work, sacrifices, and resilience. It’s about weathering storms together and paddling against the current when life capsizes you. This journey deserves a title far more significant than “friend.” You can friend someone you barely know on social media, but that doesn’t compare to the intricate, messy, and beautifully challenging love I share with my husband. Even the term “soulmates” falls short, suggesting an effortless romance that overlooks the daily grind we navigate together.
So until someone coins a term that accurately reflects our relationship, I’ll stick to quirky anniversary cards that spark laughter between us, sharing moments that define who we are: so much more than friends. If you’re exploring different aspects of relationships, you might find insights in resources on topics like in vitro fertilisation or check out this post for at-home insemination options. For more in-depth discussions about relationships, visit Modern Family Blog.
Summary
The author reflects on the unique and profound bond of marriage, emphasizing that her husband is more than just a best friend. She explores the depth of their relationship, highlighting the differences between friendships and partnerships, and the complexities that come with a committed relationship.