12 Reasons Why the Best Relationships Start as Friendships

From Cosmopolitan

The big fear about falling in love with a friend is that if the relationship goes bad, you're down both a boyfriend and a friend who might have comforted you through the breakup. It's a big risk, but when it goes right, it pays off big time. Falling in love with a best friend can be the best thing in the world. We all know the best boyfriends are the ones that feel like best friends you get to kiss, anyway.

1. You already have a ton of sweet memories together. Like the time you snuck into that house party together, or the time you laughed so hard you shot soda out of your nose and he totally saw and laughed right along with you. Put all that in the baby book of your relationship.

2. You finally get to find out what it's like to kiss them on the lips. Do not sit there and lie to me about how you never thought about it. You obviously thought about it. We all think about it. (P.S. I hope it's everything you imagined and more~.)

3. You've seen what he's like as a boyfriend from watching him date other people. You know how devoted he can be and what his style of boyfriend is because you've been in the wings all along, probably giving him advice on how not to screw up his relationships. All that work and advice is gonna come back to benefit you after all.

4. And he's seen what you're like as a girlfriend. He knows how infatuated you get early on, and how much you value clear and direct communication. You've basically been coaching each other in your relationships and now you get to just be in one together.

5. You've already met his parents and all of his friends and anyone else who might make you nervous. You don't have to hope and pray for everyone he loves in this world to accept you because they already have. You're just that good.

6. You know all his deepest secrets. All those messy talks most couples have a few months in, when all the tea gets spilled? You guys have already had them and your relationship will be that much stronger from the beginning because of it.

7. You know how to decode all of his little passive-aggressive behaviors. Like when his texts get really short, you know it's not personal, and that he's probably dealing with some serious shit and needs to be left alone. You guys get each other - that's what happens when you're friends with someone for years.

8. Nothing in your social life really has to change because this is someone you already spend a ton of time with. That nagging concern that you're ditching your BFF for your new BF is totally taken care of because, voilà, your BFF is now your BF. Pretty sure this is how the phrase "two birds, one stone" came about.

9. Your "how we met" story is cute AF and you know it. I wish I could see the look on everyone's faces when you guys start talking about the slow burn of your friendship turning into a relationship. I'm sure there will be plenty of ooh-ing and ahh-ing. Don't act like you don't care about that shit; everyone does.

10. You know about all of each other's nasty breakup stories. He was probably the first person you called after every breakup, which means he's probably comforted you and shared ice cream with you while you cry about how all guys suck. You don't have to have the Big Ex Conversation in this relationship - he's lived through it with you.

11. You know how to cheer each other up. Figuring out how to comfort a new partner when they're feeling down can be really tricky - everyone has different ways of coping with a bad mood or a bad day, and making a wrong move can be semi-disastrous. Lucky for you, you've spent years picking each other up when you get down.

12. You're already super-comfortable around each other. This is a guy who you've farted in front of, who's seen you when you're sweaty and disgusting after spending a whole day outside together, who's seen you both at your absolute worst and absolute best. He's in this for the long haul - but you already knew that, didn't you?

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