When asked, many of us can produce the name of our best friend in our sleep. Now, for some, those names may not consist of "mom" or "dad," but here's a crazy thought: our parents can actually be some of our best friends. For the people who are really close to their parents, best friend status probably isn't very far off in their minds. And for those who swear up and down that their parents can never, ever be their friends, before you laugh or roll your eyes or whatever, think about it.

1. They never judge or cringe at your weirdness.

Not even when you walk around with hair that's supposed to be silver but is actually some kind of combination of green, pale yellow, and mint.

2. They will always be on your side.

You might not always think so, but to be fair you probably shouldn't have hit that kid in the face with a stick for touching your markers when you were in first grade.

3. And even if they aren't on your side, they still offer you perspective.

You and your parents won't always agree on everything, but at least they try to show you where they're coming from.

4. You don't need to feel bad about talking crap with them.

We've all talked crap -- don't pretend like you've never done it. Your parents probably don't know who Tom, Dick, and Harry are anyway, so you don't have to feel bad for telling them how pissed you got at Harry.

5. They are a neutral party.

Which makes talking crap with them better because they aren't afraid of telling you that you're the one being ridiculous.

6. They give you money and don't expect you to pay them back.

#friendshipgoals. But we've all probably promised ourselves that we'll pay our parents back with a nice beach house in the future anyway.

7. You can laugh at funny YouTube videos together.

Believe it or not, your parents actually find Vines hilarious too.

8. They don't mind getting close to you when you're contagious.

In fact, it's second nature to them. Remember all those times when you were under the covers, burning through your sheets and coughing your lungs out?

9. They eat the brownies you bake.

Even when you accidentally leave them in a tad bit too long and they're burnt like no one's business.

10. When you're mad about something, they're mad too.

Classic elements of true friendship.

11. They adore you so much they cover their walls with photos of you.

Your number one fans from the very beginning.

12. No one wants to see you succeed more than they do.

They'll never secretly hate your guts for landing a fantastic internship with a fantastic company.