Is Dating Your Best Friend Ever A Good Idea?

When Love Island’s Chris Taylor and Maura Higgins announced they were in a relationship in November last year, it felt the reality TV world had been put to rights. The pair everyone rooted for on the show, despite the fact they were never actually together, their new love felt all very stars and planets aligning.

Why? Because they appeared to be best friends. Even on the show they were always together, laughing more than any other couple, rooting for each other at every turn. When their season of Love Island ended, they kept it going, developing what appeared to be an inseparable bond. The flirting was there too, often using each other in videos and pranks the way someone would a romantic partner. When they went Instagram official, Chris’ caption read: ‘Turns out I fell in love with my best mate’.

Swoon.

Now, just six months later, they’ve called it quits. ‘From the minute we met each other we've been very close friends and that will never change,’ Maura explained on Instagram. ‘There is no regret. Life is about taking chances, we wanted to make this work but we have realised we work better as friends. Whilst I appreciate people may speculate or create false stories, this is the truth.'

Cue stars and planets decidedly UNALIGNING. We are no longer mid-swoon, we are stood upright, clear-headed wondering what the hell happened. Not because we’re nosey (although, we are) but because whatever happened, we need to know what it means for love at large.

Is falling in love with your best friend actually… not the best thing to do? Should we stop doing that thing where you try and build a friendship before dating someone to have like, a solid grounding of communication and respect or whatever? (We have never actually done that but we hear it’s meant to be good.) Should we just… give up on love forever?

It’s time to get the experts involved. Before we give up on love, dump our best-friend-turned-boyfriend or even consider dating that one person you’ve been friends with forever… we need urgent advice.

Introducing Hayley Quinn, dating expert from Match, who after much research can give us some definitive answers on whether or not dating your best friend is ever a good idea. More importantly, how do you know WHEN to take that plunge, and when to leave it the hell alone? Here are her top questions to ask yourself before diving in (or should we say, necking on)…

Is it about them, or where you're at in your life right now?

If it's been a while since you met someone who excites you, then you can find yourself fantasising about the people you see every day. Check in with yourself - are you lusting after your BFF because you're genuinely attracted to them, or because you want some romance in your life right now and they happen to be there?

Could this negatively impact your friendship circle?

One reason why you may want to hold back on exploring if your friendship can become a romance, is the thought of what would happen within your friendship circle if things didn't go well. It is of course totally possible (and very mature) to have a peaceful break up, but if you're worried about friends choosing sides, or that things will feel weird, then you may want to hold back.

Can you imagine kissing them?

We can really love hanging out with someone, but the thought of kissing them can just not quite feel right. If you get 'the ick' at the thought of being physical with them, stop right there! Trust yourself that you can find someone as kind and as awesome as your best friend, who you're also attracted to.

How important is the spark to you?

Friendship is an incredible basis for a relationship, but if you're someone who feels like they need the spark, or for whom romance is a priority, the friendship turned relationship may leave some of your needs wanting. You've already met, and gone through the getting to know one another phase, so dating your bestie may feel like you've cut the honeymoon period out of the relationship. This doesn't have to be a bad thing, but it's worth considering how important that is to you?

Are your intentions aligned?

You can have a great bond with your friend, but do they share the same relationship goals as you? If you're looking for long term love, and they're set on something casual, then hold off on starting a relationship that doesn't share the same end destination.

Read More:

Did Love Island's Chris Taylor Hint Things Weren't Perfect With Maura Higgins?

Love Island's Maura Higgins: 'I've Been Misjudged My Whole Life'

Love Island's Maura Higgins And Chris Taylor Announce Split