I think you’d have a hard time finding someone on this Earth who values her relationship with her girlfriends quite the way I do. Throughout my life, my girlfriends have been my strength, my confidantes, and the escape I needed in times of stress—whether that means a heart-to-heart talk or a fabulous day of clothing swapping. So, of course, who better to lean on and offer counsel on my relationships than a best friend? But what happens when one of those friends turns out to be less than trustworthy?
Sad to say, I have lived through this situation more than once. And let me tell you, it’s no fun. I have exhausted myself trying to think of potential reasons why a friend would steer me in the wrong direction. Here is what I came up with:
Number one: Competition. Seeing as the number of guys in the city who are currently single is about the same as the number of girls who think they have enough shoes, it’s game on. Any desirable guy that becomes available is like a feast for the famished. Not to say that we all have the same taste, but I can’t remember the last girl that I heard say, “Tall, dark, and handsome isn’t my thing.” Right—and neither is rich with washboard abs.
Number two: Ulterior motives. When these friends say, “I just want you to be happy” what they really mean is, “as long as I’m happy first.” They tend to see your relationship as a living reminder that they aren’t in one, so they mercilessly pick it apart. After all, misery loves company, right?
And finally (the worst reason of all): Maybe they aren’t your friend at all? Such was the case a few years ago when my best friend got together with my boyfriend behind my back. Sound bad?
It gets worse: That friend was also my brother’s girlfriend of five years! Yeah, I know, ridiculous. And all the while that she was with him she was constantly asking me about my relationship with my boyfriend, giving me advice and being my “friend,” when in truth she was just maneuvering her way into my spot in his life. Yeah . . . some friend.
So while the majority of our friends are there to help, at times you do find that proverbial bad apple in the bunch. Just to be clear: These types of girls are definitely the exception and not the rule. All the more reason to appreciate the good ones! However, if you’re a girl reading this column and even a little bit of it rings true, remember: The bond we share with our girlfriends can and will last forever if we respect it. After all, it’s not nearly as much fun to borrow your boyfriend’s shoes.
