Let’s get straight to the point: dating without friendship is like eating a burger without the fries—technically, you could do it, but why would you want to? Sure, the sizzling attraction and butterflies in your stomach are fun (and trust me, we all love that), but once the lust fizzles and the sparks settle, what’s left? You need someone you actually like.
Here’s the thing about friendship: it’s the glue that holds all the good stuff together. That wild chemistry might get you through the first few dates, but when the excitement fades, you’ll need someone who’ll still hang out with you in sweatpants, binge-watching reality TV, and laugh at your terrible jokes. Lust doesn’t solve problems when your car breaks down, but a good friend does—they’ll show up, crack jokes about your ancient car, and help call AAA.
Imagine a dating app where you don’t have to act like a perfectly polished version of yourself, pretending you’ve got it all together. What if, instead, people got to know the real you—the one your friends love? The person who has weird food habits, occasionally snoozes through alarms, and needs a solid pep talk before every social event. No more playing the actor on a first date.
We searched near and far through all the typical hyped up dating apps to see if there was one that made sense to us. We found the coolest, best kept secret out! It’s called Run or Stay, where people lay out their imperfections up front—no filters, no games. The profiles options you can choose from are next level hilarious! You can actually add on your profile that you are always late, you have a crazy ex, and your family is completely nuts! LOL! You can tell all the stuff that your real friends know about you (and what you usually try to hide in the relationship), and the other person gets to see your “flaws, and imperfections” and decide if they want to run or stay…..pure genius! And even better Run or Stay is free and they have a members only social media platform too!
We truly believe that if you can’t be friends, you’re setting yourself up for a bumpy ride. Think about it: friends enjoy each other’s company, even when there’s no fancy dinner, no Netflix-and-chill vibes, and definitely no makeup on. If you can’t have fun in the most boring, mundane moments, how’s the relationship supposed to survive the real world? Spoiler alert: it won’t.
We’re encourage that next-level friendship, where you can roast each other without anyone getting offended and share those embarrassing stories no one else gets to hear. When the looks fade, and the honeymoon phase is a distant memory, friendship is what keeps things fun, steady, and—dare I say it—real.
You’re late? A friend already knows the drill. You text them, “Be there in 5,” and they laugh because they know that means you just started showering. They’re not even mad—they brought snacks for the wait.
And don’t get it twisted. Friendship doesn’t mean you’re settling for a “nice” relationship. It’s about finding someone who knows the difference between your “I’m fine” (which means you’re definitely not fine) and your “I’m fine” (which actually means you’re okay). It’s about being with someone who makes you laugh so hard you almost spit out your drink and still respects you enough to make sure no one else noticed.
So, before you get caught up in the passion, ask yourself: Can I talk to this person about literally nothing and still have a good time? If the answer is yes, congrats—you’ve found a keeper. If not, maybe rethink things before you go all-in on the romance rollercoaster.
Friendship is the foundation, and everything else is just decoration. Without it, your relationship is as shaky as a Jenga tower after a few drinks. Choose wisely.
Share your own experiences and thoughts by downloading the free, hilariously relatable RunOrStay.com dating app and members only social media platform. On Run or stay, people tell you their imperfections upfront & you decide to either Run or Stay! The Dating Chronicle guarantees that you will burst out in laughter, simply by completing your profile. Let us know what you think about the Run or Stay app!
