The Other Significant Others: Reimagining Life with Friendship at the Center

by Rhaina Cohen

The expectations of modern romance risk narrowing the scope of our imaginations, making us believe that romantic relationships are our sole legitimate option, that we must find everything we need in one person, leaving little room to picture others as potential significant others. But romantic relationships are not the only unions that can shape our lives. Much like spouses, the friends featured in this book act as a unit. They share money, homes, and a private language of shorthand. They take care of each other without hesitation, relish each other’s brightest moments, and commemorate their friendship. They transform each other: Kami gained the confidence to expect more of a romantic partner and her life; Nick learned to parse his feelings and what mattered to him; Joan realized it was okay to depend on other people. These friends are each other’s invariables.