We all remember that special BFF from the ’90s—the person we’d have late-night phone calls with, gossip about our strict parents, and plan matching outfits with.
When you think about best friends back then compared to now, a lot has changed, but some things stay the same: we still spend late nights on the phone and share juicy gossip. We might even still coordinate outfits, pretending it was a total accident. In reality, not much is different; we’re just older and enjoy more wine!
Best friends are like the siblings we never had. Even if we did have siblings, we might not have liked them very much. While our siblings might have stolen our favorite toys or embarrassed us, our best friend was the one we’d prank call and cry to when our crush held hands with someone else on the playground.
We wouldn’t be where we are today without our best friends—both back in the ’90s and now, even if some things have changed a bit.
1. The Fights We Get Into
In the ’90s: Your BFF promised to take care of your digital pet while you were away on vacation, but then she let it die. After that, you just couldn’t look at her the same way.
Right now: We don’t really fight like that anymore. Instead, we leave passive-aggressive comments on Facebook and intentionally avoid liking each other’s Instagram posts.
2. How We Make Up Afterward
In the ’90s: Before smartphones, resolving a fight with your BFF meant passing her a note in class. You’d fill it with frown faces, dot the i’s with hearts to show how sad you were without her, and end with “LYLAS” — “love you like a sis,” just in case anyone forgot our abbreviations.
Now: Making up usually involves a $12 Starbucks drink and a smiling selfie of the two of you together to move past it.
3. Friday Night Entertainment
In the ’90s: We’d go to the mall and buy fake nose rings from Claire’s, just before sneaking into an R-rated movie. We thought we were so rebellious.
Now: Who goes out anymore? Not us! Just give us something to binge on Netflix and a bottle (or twelve) of wine, and we’re all set. Can you say FriYAY?
4. Playing Wingwoman
In the ’90s: After figuring out who your true love was with a cootie catcher, you’d have a dramatic run-in during science class while your BFF kept other girls at bay.
Now: Every BFF knows the way to help you find lasting love is by spending 14 hours searching for him on Facebook, armed only with his middle name.
5. Squad Targets
In the ’90s: Life was all about finding a few more girls as cool as you so you could pretend to be the Spice Girls.
Now: The good news is you only need one more person to do the “Single Ladies” dance, but since you’re not really a people person anymore, your BFF is more than enough.
