There’s something truly unique about maintaining a decades-long friendship. It’s not just about growing old together, it’s about sharing the ups and downs that life throws your way.
This kind of lasting bond doesn’t come easy. It requires certain qualities that go beyond the surface-level chit-chat and occasional hangouts.
Having a best friend for decades likely means that you both possess some remarkable traits that help to sustain your relationship over time.
In this piece, we’re going to delve into the 7 rare qualities that long-time best friends tend to have in common. Get ready to see if you and your bestie fit the bill!
1) Unwavering loyalty
Best friendships that stand the test of time often have a solid foundation of loyalty. Over the years, you both have likely faced numerous trials and tribulations. Yet, you’ve always stood by each other’s side.
Loyalty in a friendship means you’ve got each other’s backs no matter what. It’s the reassurance that you can rely on this person during your darkest hours.
This deep sense of loyalty doesn’t just grow overnight. It’s nurtured over years, even decades, of shared experiences and mutual support.
So, if you’ve kept the same best friend for decades, it’s virtually guaranteed that you both possess this rare quality of unwavering loyalty. It’s what makes your bond unshakeable and your friendship truly special.
2) Shared history
There’s something truly special about having a treasure trove of shared memories. I can speak from personal experience here. My best friend and I have known each other for over 25 years. We’ve been through all of life’s ups and downs together.
We can look back on our shared history and laugh about the time we got lost on a road trip, or reminisce about our high school graduation. We’ve comforted each other through heartbreaks and celebrated each other’s victories.
This shared history has created a bond that is irreplaceable and unique. It’s not something that can be quickly replicated with a new friend, no matter how close you may become.
Having a wealth of shared experiences gives your friendship depth and resilience. It allows you to understand each other on a level that others simply can’t reach.
So, if you’ve kept the same best friend for decades, there’s no doubt you both value and cherish your shared history. It’s one of those rare qualities that make your friendship stand the test of time.
3) Unconditional acceptance
Best friends who’ve stood by each other for decades have a unique understanding of each other. They’ve seen each other’s highs and lows, strengths and weaknesses. And yet, they choose to accept each other, flaws and all.
This kind of unconditional acceptance is rare. It’s even been scientifically proven that accepting people for who they truly are can lead to stronger, more fulfilling relationships. A study found that people in relationships where they felt accepted and understood were more satisfied with their relationships overall.
Acceptance doesn’t mean that you ignore or overlook each other’s faults. Instead, it means you recognize them and still choose to love and respect each other regardless.
So, if you’ve been best friends with someone for decades, there’s a good chance you both share this quality of unconditional acceptance. It’s what enables your friendship to thrive amidst the inevitable imperfections of life.
4) Genuine trust
Trust is a fundamental pillar in any long-lasting relationship, and friendships are no exception. If you’ve managed to maintain a best friend for decades, it’s a clear sign that you both have an exceptional level of trust in each other.
This trust extends beyond just keeping secrets. It’s about feeling confident that your friend will always be there for you, will never deliberately hurt you, and will always have your best interests at heart.
Trust like this takes time to build. It’s earned through consistent actions, honesty, and integrity over the years. It’s not something that can be rushed or forced.
So if your best friendship has lasted for decades, you can both pat yourselves on the back. You’ve managed to build and maintain a level of trust that many people strive to achieve in their relationships.
5) Open communication
In my own experience with my best friend, communication has always been key. There have been times when we’ve disagreed, argued, even stopped talking for a while, but we’ve always found our way back to each other.
This wasn’t because we simply swept things under the rug and moved on, but because we learned to communicate openly with each other. We learned to express our feelings, even if they were negative or uncomfortable, and listen to each other’s perspectives.
Open communication is what allowed us to resolve disputes and misunderstandings. It helped us grow individually and as friends. It taught us that it’s okay to disagree and that our friendship was strong enough to withstand conflicts.
If you’ve been best friends with someone for decades, you’ve probably had your fair share of disagreements. But the fact that you’re still best friends suggests that you both value open communication. It’s what keeps your friendship healthy and thriving.
6) Shared values
One of the cornerstones of any long-term friendship is sharing similar core values. Whether it’s honesty, kindness, ambition, or a sense of humor, these shared values help to create a strong bond that can last a lifetime.
These values are the guiding principles in your lives. They influence your decisions, actions, and overall outlook on life. When you share these with your best friend, it creates a deep understanding and respect for each other.
You both know what’s important to each other and why. You respect each other’s values, even if they differ in some aspects. This mutual understanding helps to create harmony and balance in your friendship.
So, if you’ve kept the same best friend for decades, it’s likely that you both share similar core values. These shared values form a strong foundation for your enduring friendship.
7) Mutual respect
Out of all the qualities that make for a decades-long friendship, mutual respect is perhaps the most crucial. Without it, all the other qualities wouldn’t matter much.
Respect in a friendship means valuing each other’s opinions, listening without judgment, and treating each other with kindness and consideration. It means acknowledging each other’s individuality and appreciating the differences that make you unique.
If you’ve kept the same best friend for decades, it’s certain that you both share this immense level of respect for one another. It’s what makes your bond unbreakable, your friendship authentic, and your connection priceless.
