You share a lot with your best friend, but did you know you share brain waves? 

“Scientists have found that the brains of close friends respond in remarkably similar ways as they view a series of short videos,” in an article published by The New York Times. 

I bet you didn’t think you and your best friends were brain twins. 

“It suggests that friends resemble each other not just superficially, but in the very structures of their brains,” said a biosociologist at Yale University in The New York Times. 

Start thinking twice before you make fun of your friend for being stupid because you might just be insulting yourself as well.  

Linganore is filled with Best Friends.

Juniors Ruby Cerny and Alexa Contreras 

Alexa attends Tuscarora and stayed friends for 12 years with Ruby even though they go to different schools.

“Alexa and I have been friends since kindergarten, which was in 2009,” Cerny said. 

Having a friendship that lasts that long is considered rare.

Nicholas Christakis, a writer for Big Think said, “Some friendships last a lifetime, but most have a lifespan. In the U.S., best friends tend to last for 10 years on average.” 

“A study, published by Her, which charted the social lives of 2,000 people, showed that we lose touch with almost half of the friends that we make.”

Friendships change because of life choices, distance, or misunderstanding. 

“I really hope our friendship lasts a lifetime. It has gotten more and more difficult as Alexa moved a while ago making it difficult to see each other. Regardless, she’s still my best friend,” Cerny said.

The bond is so strong that Ruby and Alexa don’t even have to see each other at school. Some people would think that not seeing each other at school would have a bigger impact on the friendship, but not for them.

Of course every friendship goes through ups and downs.

“We used to fight a lot in middle school, and I moved right after, so it had a big impact on our friendship, but we are still friends nonetheless,” Contreras said.

It’s the memories and fun times that define a real friendship.

“I remember in elementary school, Alexa had one of her birthday parties at Pump It Up. I remember being excited to jump on bouncy houses, of course, but I also remember being extremely excited to give her a gift,” said Cerny. “I don’t think I had ever been so excited for someone’s birthday party before, which showed just how much I cared for her.”

This was the realization moment for Ruby when she knew Alexa was definitely her best friend.

“I don’t remember a lot from elementary school, but one memory that definitely reminds me of our friendship was when we made T-shirts with our names on it on the last day of school,” Contreras said. 

Seniors Abbey Sovero and Emma Pratchios

Abbey and Emma have been friends for eight years, after Emma’s family moved into Abbey’s neighborhood

“Emma had just moved in down the street from me. I was at my friend’s pool (who also lived on the same street), and my friend’s mom invited her to come hang out with us. Once school started that fall, we started getting closer,” said Abbey.

Why did Abbey and Emma become friends so fast and easily?

I started thinking of her as a best friend when I could be super weird around her and instead of judgement, or just acceptance, she joined in,” said Emma. “I don’t have to put up a front when I’m around her, and I am just 100% myself.”

Being comfortable and being yourself is extremely important.

“Friendships have a huge impact on your mental health and happiness. Good friends relieve stress, provide comfort and joy, and prevent loneliness and isolation,” Help Guide published.

“I love going for drives with her. We blast our favorite playlists, put the windows down, and drive down back roads, said Pratchios.

You know you’re best friends when you can sing your heart out in front of each other. 

“When I started going to her house more often, her family treated me like I was one of their own. I always felt comfortable and had so much fun hanging out there. In a way, her parents are like my second family,” said Sovero. “In the past, I have also gone on multiple vacations with Emma’s family as well. For example, I’ve gone with Emma’s family multiple times to visit her grandma in Florida.”

“Having a best friend is like having a sister, Therapist, And Comedian Rolled Into One,” Sara Housand from Odyssey published.

“Throughout the years, she’s always been here for me when I’ve gone through rough times or experiences. I know that I can tell her anything and she’ll always be there for me,” Sovero said.

“We do bicker a lot about little things, but not so much big arguments. Our friends often refer to us as an old married couple. We’ve only gotten into two big arguments, but we have resolved each and talk to find a solution,” said Pratchios.