We all had that one best friend growing up in the ’90s — the ride-or-die who knew all our secrets, matched our butterfly clips, and always had our backs when our parents were being so unfair.
She was the one you’d stay on the phone with for hours (even though you just saw her at school), the one you gossiped with about which boy was definitely going to ask you out, and the one who helped you pick the perfect outfit — often because she was wearing the exact same thing. On purpose. But if anyone asked? Total coincidence.
Fast forward to now, and while the years have definitely added some wine, therapy, and maybe the occasional group chat meltdown, the core of that friendship hasn’t changed.
You still send each other memes instead of notes folded into intricate triangles. You still coordinate outfits — only now it’s for girls’ trips, brunch, or matching pajamas for your annual Netflix-and-wine weekend. And yes, you still call her when something huge (or heartbreakingly small) happens, because no one else quite gets it the way she does.
Because Best Friends Are Family You Get to Choose
Whether you had siblings or not, your best friend was — and still is — the sibling of your soul. Sure, your actual siblings may have stolen your toys and run around the yard with your training bra on their head (we’ve all got that story), but your best friend? She was your partner-in-crime for prank calls, your secret-keeper, and your safe space when middle school drama felt like the end of the world.
She was the first person you told when your crush held hands with someone else. She was the shoulder you cried on, the one who made you laugh through your tears, and the one who reminded you — in that fierce, BFF kind of way — that you were going to be just fine.
From Tamagotchis to Taxes: You Grew Up, But the Bond Didn’t Change
Back in the ’90s, friendship was swapping stickers, trading secrets, and promising you’d always stay besties forever — written in gel pen and sealed with glitter.
Today, it’s more about navigating adulting, hyping each other up in the comments section, and being there through everything from breakups to career crises to baby showers and beyond.
But here’s the truth: the foundation is still the same.
She’s still your person.
She’s still the first call.
She’s still the one who sees you completely — and loves you anyway.
So maybe we don’t make prank calls anymore. Maybe our gossip is a little more about mortgages and a little less about homeroom. And maybe we’ve traded sleepovers for FaceTimes and late-night texting with a glass of red wine.
But when it comes to best friends?
Nothing important has changed.
Not then.
Not now.
Not ever.
1. The Fights We Get Into
In the ’90s:
She swore she’d take care of your Tamagotchi while you were on vacation… and then she let it die. You couldn’t even look her in the eye after that.
Today:
No actual arguments, just passive-aggressive subtweets and “accidentally” skipping each other’s Instagram posts.
2. How We Make Up Afterward
In the ’90s:
You passed her a note in class filled with frowny faces, hearts over the i’s, and a tearful “LYLAS” at the end.
Today:
A $12 Starbucks drink and a selfie captioned “my day one 💕” fixes everything.
3. Friday Night Entertainment
In the ’90s:
Claire’s fake nose rings, sneaking into an R-rated movie, and pretending you weren’t scared during The Blair Witch Project.
Today:
Netflix, a bottle of wine (or two), and matching sweats. Who even goes out anymore?
4. Playing Wingwoman
In the ’90s:
You planned your locker route to “accidentally” bump into your crush — while she ran interference with the other girls.
Today:
She spends 14 hours deep-diving on Facebook to find your mystery man… from one blurry group pic and his middle name.
5. Squad Goals
In the ’90s:
The goal? Find three more girls to become the Spice Girls. You were obviously Baby.
Today:
You only need one more for the Single Ladies dance, but honestly… your BFF is more than enough. #AntiSocialButterfly
6. Things We Gossip About
In the ’90s:
How your enemy copied your scrunchie, stole your slap bracelet, and somehow got a Warhead before you.
Today:
Is it gossip if it’s a 2-hour FaceTime about the Game of Thrones finale? (Still mad about it.)
7. Helping Each Other Through Heartbreak
In the ’90s:
She brought you a Cosmic Brownie and swore you’d find someone better than Kyle from math class.
Today:
Yoga, mani-pedis, $5 wine, and then a night out where she tells creepy Chad to back off — twice.
8. How We Stay In Touch
In the ’90s:
You walked to her door and rang the bell. Sometimes her dad answered, and that was just… awkward.
Today:
Full conversations now happen entirely via emojis. 👍😭🍷💅💃💀
9. Things We Get In Trouble For
In the ’90s:
Ding Dong Ditch, TP-ing the neighbor’s house, and whoopie cushions under the teacher’s chair = peak chaos.
Today:
Being late to work again because your “quick” Starbucks trip turned into 40 minutes of venting and vibing.
10. Sticking Up For Each Other To The Haters
In the ’90s:
If drama broke out on the playground, you ran to your mom like a tattletale warrior.
Today:
Subtle revenge = posting a fire photo dump of your girls’ night out. No captions. No invites. Just vibes.
11. Showing Off Your Unbreakable Bond
In the ’90s:
Handmade BFF bracelets — frayed yarn, but full of love.
Today:
Matching tattoos if you’re brave. If not? Updating your Facebook relationship status to each other. Iconic.
💖 Best friends then. Soulmates now. 90s girls, grown — and still thriving together.
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