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55 Meaningful Quotes for Your Friends Who Are Really Family

An ode to the unbreakable bond you have with your chosen fam.

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"Friends are your chosen family." It's a saying we often hear, but know that it should really be reserved for our most trusted companions. Sure, all friendships are special, but when we think about those who have been there for us through our hardest times, the people we spend the holidays with, and those who we speak to every day, the word friendship just doesn't do them justice. Simply put, they're family.

So when you're celebrating them on their birthdays, praying for them during a difficult time, or looking to caption a meaningful photo of them for the 'gram, look to these best quotes for friends who are like family. Some of the sayings here are sentimental ways to honor your best friends, while others are funny and speak to the type of bond you could only share with them.

You know, not everyone has been lucky enough to have a blood family they can depend on, so to find even one special person who can be a mother, father, or sibling figure deserves all the recognition in the world. So feel free to send them one of these quotes in a text on a random day too, just to let them know much you love them.

1

Unknown

friends who are family quotes

"Friendship is another word for love."

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2

Charles Darwin

friends who are family quotes

"A man's friendships are one of the best measures of his worth."

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3

Unknown

friends who are family quotes

"There are friends, there is family, and then there are friends that become family."

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4

Maya Angelou

friends who are family quotes

"There's a marked difference between acquaintances and friends. Most people really don't become friends. They become deep and serious acquaintances. But in a friendship you get to know the spirit of another person; and your values coincide."

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5

Zora Neal Hurston

friends who are family quotes

"It seems to me that trying to live without friends is like milking a bear to get cream for your morning coffee. It is a whole lot of trouble, and then not worth much after get it."

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6

Unknown

friends are family quotes unknown
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“Stay close to people who feel like sunlight.”

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7

Misty Copeland

family and friends quotes misty copeland
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“Anything is possible when you have the right people there to support you.”

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8

Unknown

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“A friend is one who overlooks your broken fence and admires the flowers in your garden.”

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9

Maya Angelou

friends are family quotes maya angelou
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“Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud.”

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10

Unknown

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“In the cookies of life, friends are the chocolate chips.”

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11

Unknown

family and friends quotes unknown
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“It’s not what we have in life, but who we have in our life that matters.”

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12

Arnold H. Glasgow

family and friends quotes arnold h glasgow
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“A true friend never gets in your way unless you happen to be going down.”

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13

Ralph Waldo Emerson

family and friends quotes ralph waldo emerson
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“The only way to have a friend is to be one.”

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14

Meghan Markle

family and friends quotes meghan markle
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“If we treated ourselves as well as we treated our best friend, can you imagine?”

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15

Oprah Winfrey

family and friends quotes oprah winfrey
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"Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down."

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16

Unknown

friends are family quotes unknown
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“We never lose friends. We only learn who the true ones are.”

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17

Gabrielle Union

family and friends quotes gabrielle union
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“When someone who loves and cares about me compliments me, I feel more glamorous than when the flashbulbs are going off on the red carpet.”

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18

Gina Barreca

family and friends quotes gina barreca
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“It's not that diamonds are a girl's best friend, but it's your best friends who are your diamonds.”

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19

Elisabeth Foley

family and friends quotes elisabeth foley
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"The most beautiful discovery true friends make is that they can grow separately without growing apart."

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20

Donna Roberts

family and friends quotes donna roberts
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“A friend knows the song in my heart and sings it to me when my memory fails.”

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Elizabeth Berry
Updates Editor

Elizabeth Berry (she/her) is the Updates Editor at the Good Housekeeping Institute where she optimizes lifestyle content across verticals. Prior to this role, she was an Editorial Assistant for Woman’s Day where she covered everything from gift guides to recipes. She also has experience fact checking commerce articles and holds a B.A. in English and Italian Studies from Connecticut College.

Headshot of Terri Huggins Hart

Terri Huggins Hart is an award-winning journalist, lifestyle writer, parenting writer, and race and culture writer who is convinced she's figured out the trick to living life with no regrets: do what you love, give love, lead with love. She's also the writer of an active monthly newsletter sharing tips for motivation and emotional well-being. When not writing, she can be found working out via Zumba or pole dancing, reciting her favorite affirmations and covering her adorable kids in kisses. You can learn more about Terri on her website, TerrificWords.com, or following her on social media @terrificwords.

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