Sometimes in life, you come across another person or a group of people that change your life for the better. It's pretty magical if you think about it. This was someone that you once barely knew and now, you cannot imagine your life without them. It could be someone that you knew instantly from the moment you met that you would get along with, or it could be someone that you might have written off initially, but later, after truly getting to know them, your perspective changed. At the end of the day, no matter how you met, these are the people make you feel genuinely happier, no matter what kind of day you were having. Friends that turn into family can take the form of a group of girls or guys, or another person on their own. No matter if it's 10 people or one, the bond that you have formed is like none other and special in more ways than one. Looking back, you don't always see it happening, that is the transition from stranger to friend to family. It's so natural that one day, you'll find yourself saying "Wow, when did this happen and when did we become so close?" The stages of friends to family is pretty special, looking back at how far you and another have come!

1. First Impression.

It can be intimidating meeting new people. It's something that comes naturally to some and not so easily to others. Sometimes, you might click right off the bat, while other times it could take a while before you realize how good you are for each other. No matter what, however dull or exciting the first time you met someone or those people that form "your group," when they become like family to you, you never forget how you met.

2. You are comfortable hanging out together.

There comes a moment when you know you are 100 percent comfortable around someone. You can just walk into their house or room without feeling weird. You hang out with or refer to their family and friends like they are your own. You can also be yourself completely without changing yourself to impress them. When you are your authentic self, you know you've found your people.

3. You start to learn about their life.

Learning new things about someone is not only the foundation of a friendship, but one of the best parts. It's when you learn what makes them happy, their favorite things, and so much more that you never thought you could know about another person. Sometimes, it is stuff that you definitely never wanted to know but that just makes you love them even more.

4. They impact you in a positive way

There comes a point in time when you look in the mirror and realize you have grown so much and like the person you see on the other side. A lot of the time, this is due to those friends where you can see good parts of them in you. You know why they are in your life.

5. They know you better than anyone else.

The moment where someone knows more than just factual details about you is big. It is the defining moment for many, when you know that this person or group is more than just the ones you spend the majority of your time with. These are the people you know are never going to leave your life. They are loyal to a fault. The ones at your wedding. The ones at your highs and lows. The ones that turned into family.