Best friends are like chosen family—the people who know every embarrassing story, share the weirdest inside jokes, and have your back through the best and worst times. Back in the ’90s, being someone’s BFF meant late-night phone calls on a landline, swapping Lisa Frank stickers, and rocking matching butterfly clips at the mall. Sure, the heart of friendship hasn’t changed, but the way we experience it definitely has. Let’s take a fun look at how BFF relationships from the ’90s compare to friendships today, and see just how much things have shifted—without losing that special bond.

In the ’90s, fights between best friends were usually over silly stuff. Maybe you forgot to feed your friend’s Tamagotchi while she was on vacation, or you never gave back her favorite boy band CD. Those spats felt huge back then, but it usually took just a day (and maybe a Lisa Frank apology note) to smooth things over. Fast-forward to today, and while adults aren’t arguing over Tamagotchis anymore, passive-aggressive behavior is the name of the game. Instead of dramatic in-person arguments, people drop subtle jabs in group texts or ignore each other’s Instagram stories. Silent treatment? Still as effective as it was back then.

Making up with your best friend in the ’90s meant slipping them a handwritten note during class, complete with doodles of sad faces and hearts. You’d scribble “LYLAS” (Love You Like a Sister), and all was forgiven. These days, apologies come with a latte from Starbucks and a smiling selfie on social media to show the world you’re friends again. Whether it’s a note passed in math class or a perfectly filtered photo on Instagram, making up with your BFF is always a relief.

When Friday night rolled around in the ’90s, you and your bestie hit the mall. You’d try on chokers at Claire’s, share an Auntie Anne’s pretzel, and maybe sneak into a PG-13 movie your parents would have said no to. Nowadays, a wild Friday night with your BFF looks more like staying in with takeout, pajamas, and a Netflix binge. Whether you’re wandering the mall or curled up on the couch, spending time with your BFF is always the highlight of the week.

Being a wingwoman has changed, too. In the ’90s, you relied on paper fortune tellers (remember cootie catchers?) to decide who your crush was. Then, your best friend would orchestrate a “casual” run-in by your locker. Today’s BFFs are digital detectives. Give them a name and a detail or two, and they’ll find your crush’s entire social media history by lunchtime. Whether it’s old-school playground scheming or a deep dive into Instagram, your best friend’s got your back.

In the ’90s, you and your friends worked hard to build the ultimate girl squad, often based on the Spice Girls—each friend had to claim a persona. Now, one good friend is enough to conquer the world (or at least nail the “Single Ladies” dance routine in your living room). Whether it’s a squad of five or just a dynamic duo, that BFF bond is all you need.

Gossip has come a long way since the days of trading juicy secrets about who was wearing the same scrunchie as you or who stole your slap bracelet. Now, gossip is all about decoding Instagram captions, dissecting cryptic tweets, or sharing spoilers from the latest binge-worthy show. But whether it’s 1999 or 2024, gossiping with your best friend is still a major bonding experience.

Heartbreak? In the ’90s, your BFF showed up with Dunkaroos and a shoulder to cry on. Today, they’ll drag you to a yoga class, pour the $5 wine, and fend off any unwanted attention during a girls’ night out. Whether you’re healing with snacks or self-care routines, your BFF always knows how to help you bounce back.

Staying in touch has also transformed. Back then, you had to call their house phone and possibly chat with their parents first (awkward). Maybe you even sent notes by snail mail. These days, it’s all about texting, DMs, voice notes, and video calls. TikTok reactions have replaced late-night phone convos, but the connection is still strong.

Getting into trouble together? In the ’90s, it was Ding Dong Ditch and prank calls. Now, it’s sneaking out for extra-long lunch breaks at work or goofing off during Zoom meetings. BFFs always find a way to stir up harmless mischief, no matter the decade.

Defending each other has gone digital too. Back then, you’d confront playground bullies head-on. Today, your BFF posts glowing pictures of you both on social media to prove you’re unbothered by haters. Whether you’re in fourth grade or 40, your best friend’s always got your back.

And finally, showing off your BFF bond has gotten an upgrade. In the ’90s, friendship bracelets were everything. You’d spend hours braiding the perfect one. Today, matching tattoos, playful Instagram bios, and listing each other as “in a relationship” on Facebook are how you show the world your BFF love is forever.

Sure, times have changed, but at the core, best friends are still our ride-or-dies. Whether we’re sharing slap bracelets or Spotify playlists, BFFs make life better—no matter the decade.