While many people among my age group are in romantic relationships, many others are single. In other words, it is generally considered normal to be either status. There is one kind of relationship, however, which seems to be a given — the best friend relationship.

There are numerous fun-looking articles to which you and your best friend are supposed to relate. Magazine Snapchat stories are constantly prompting me to send a cute message to my best friend. Many young people, it appears, have a guaranteed partner for going out with on weekends or for attending lunch with during the week. Best friends are everywhere.

Yet, some people actually do not have a best friend. This is absolutely OK.

I would say I am one of those people without a best friend. I have had multiple very close, valuable friendships in college but all those people I am or have been friends with still have other friends whom they would consider their best friend.

I suppose I could call my sister and mother my best friends. They probably know me the best and I go to them for consultation on many of my problems. Even still, I believe there is a huge difference between family members and their DNA-based bonding and the kind of best friends you find along the way in life.

That being said, best friends are not a requirement. I certainly have nothing against best friends and I, in fact, support these devoted friendships. I do not think one way or another, having a best friend or not having a best friend, is the superior path. I will even admit I oftentimes find myself envious of people who have best friends.

It is not always so easy navigating various hardships without a best friend. It can certainly feel lonely at times as well. It can be difficult when you have important news, good or bad, and you have to dial up your sister from across the country to unload your feelings. You may have to wait days to meet up with a friend to discuss your life updates in person. Obviously, these kinds of issues can arise even for people with best friends but I do think they are sometimes felt more intensely by people without best friends.

Despite the loneliness, life can still be great without that kind of soulmate friendship. I, for one, have learned to make many seemingly trivial decisions by myself. These have hopefully strengthened my overall decision-making abilities.

For example, I have sometimes had to decide whether or not I should text a boy as well as draft the text message without much consultation. I have had to make the choice on what to wear going out without someone telling me if my legs look kind of funny in the outfit. I have become somewhat of a master of zipping up my own dresses from the back. While these are obviously silly examples, I do hope their cumulative effect has helped me become a stronger, more emotionally self-sufficient individual.

Not having a sidekick also forces you to do things which might make you uncomfortable, but ultimately lend themselves to personal growth. I have learned to enjoy eating alone in public. I now understand it is perfectly acceptable to show up to gatherings by yourself and likely the only person judging you for doing so is you. My plans for a weekend may not always be guaranteed but I have found there is a kind of mysterious, intriguing excitement in this.

Most importantly, not having a best friend has forced me to be grateful for what I do have. I have a diversity of amazing friends who spend time with me, who lift me up and provide me great advice, and who comfort me when I am upset. I have learned to accept and love these friendships without the label of “best friend.” I have a supportive, understanding, and loving family. I have had people come in and out of my life, and the time spent with them has been important, albeit not permanent.

There are so many wonderful kinds of relationships we can have in life. The best friend relationship is just one kind of relationship and, while beautiful, life can be just as beautiful without it.