We all know how important it is to have friends. Friends are the ones you laugh with, you party with and you make memories with. Friends are the people that you go shopping with, go get coffee with and even go to the gym with. But sometimes, certain people come into your life that are truly special and it makes you realize how much more friendship is than just having someone to hang out with. Having best friends is like having a second family. There are so many things that best friends do for you, which is why it is so important to cherish them dearly. Here are just a few reasons why it is so important to have best friends.

1. They are there for you through the good times and the bad.

Sure, any friend can be there for you when you do good on a test, when you find a twenty dollar bill on the floor or when you find out great news. But only best friends are there for you through the bad times as well. A best friend is there for you through the good, the bad, the pretty and the ugly. A best friend will let you cry in your arms, let you talk about your problems (even if it is longer than you expected) and give you advice if you are unsure what to do in a tough situation.

2. They have your back through thick and thin.

A best friend is there for you no matter what. Whether or not they agree with the situation at hand, a best friend will always have your back. A best friend will support your decisions and will let you know when you are making wrong ones. They will defend you when something goes wrong and will back you up because they know you would do the same in return.

3. They genuinely want the best for you.

When you have a best friend, there’s no such thing as jealousy. You want the best for her just like she wants the best for you. They look out for your best interests and actually want you to go far in life. There are many people in this world that will put you down and hope that you fail. It's encouraging and beautiful to have people in your life that actually want you to succeed and be happy.

All in all, the importance of having best friends are crucial. Those are the people you can tell your deepest darkest secrets to; the people who will be there for you no matter what and the people that want to see you succeed. Having a best friend is clearly way more than having fun with them and hanging out. Having a best friend is having a second family for life.