‘When you were supposed to be best friends, but you kissed him and now you’re married’

Moving from best friends to lovers is a common theme in both romantic movies and real life. Yes, it’s not uncommon for individuals to develop romantic feelings for their close friends.

Olivia Zbihley, 25, told Newsweek how she made a move on her best friend, which led to marriage, illustrating just one of many instances of this happening.

Her TikTok video, posted in April, went viral, garnering over 2 million views and 169,000 likes.

“When you were supposed to be best friends, but you kissed him while out at a nightclub, and now you’re married and giggling about new apartment decor,” she said in the caption. “It always works out in the movies, so I figured I’d shoot my shot.”

Olivia shared that she and her husband, Drew, met in 2016 during their first year at Northwestern University.

They quickly became friends while studying and working together in their chemistry class.

Olivia fondly recalled telling her mom about her new school friends during Christmas break, and her mom teasingly asked if Drew had a crush on her after seeing his photo.

Olivia explained that despite growing closer during college, she only saw Drew as a good friend for years.

“We… were always very platonic,” she said, adding that she admired his qualities like his respectfulness, intelligence, humor, kindness, and ambition.

However, it wasn’t until their final year in college that her feelings for him started to shift.

That one night in Chicago is when Olivia and Drew turned from best friends to lovers.

While out with friends at a nightclub, Olivia took the initiative, which Drew was grateful for as he didn’t want to jeopardize their friendship.

Once they took that step, their relationship changed forever.

As Olivia put it, “The rest is history.”

Olivia and Drew will celebrate their second wedding anniversary in July, which she finds amazing.

For them, getting married wasn’t a huge shift; it was a natural progression.

They enjoyed the ease of advancing their relationship without the uncertainties of dating. Their friendship has deepened even more since tying the knot.

“All of the characteristics that I admired in college have only grown since,” Olivia said, adding that they are open to discussing any topic, no matter how uncomfortable.

“I think our many years of friendship really strengthened our love for and understanding of one another,” she concluded.

Olivia said they’ve faced everything together, from college to breakups and family losses.

Now, they’re adding two new experiences to their list: going viral on TikTok and decorating their apartment.

Is it good to start off as friends?

Being stuck in the friend zone doesn’t always mean the end of romance, according to AskMen.

Starting as friends before dating can be beneficial, offering better communication and genuine connections.

According to dating expert Shannon Fish, romantic relationships require more than physical attraction; they need respect, trust, honesty, and loyalty—qualities in friendship.

Being friends first allows for the natural growth of feelings without pressure or high expectations.

Meanwhile, starting as friends before dating creates a relaxed atmosphere for relationship growth.

Fish highlights that this approach removes pressure, allowing for meaningful conversations and shared interests without heightened emotions.

Dr. Krista Jordan notes that starting as friends helps avoid intense initial feelings, fostering objective assessment akin to job evaluation.

Building on a friendship foundation allows for authenticity and a deeper connection.

Effective communication, established early on, aids in handling future challenges.

Fish underscores that communication as friends is natural, free from dating anxieties, enabling a comfortable contact pattern.

Turning from best friends to lovers builds a foundation of mutual respect, which Fish believes is crucial for growth.

Fish suggests that since you wouldn’t mistreat a friend, you can expect similar treatment when exploring romance. This is a relief in today’s tough dating scene.

Dating a friend also means skipping those nerve-wracking first-date jitters, according to Fish.

Knowing and liking your date beforehand makes the experience more relaxed and enjoyable.

Moreover, says Dr. Jordan, introducing a partner to your social circle becomes easier when you’re already friends.

This avoids the usual wait time and lets you gauge early on if your friends and family approve of your partner.

Here’s Olivia’s viral TikTok video about how she turned her and her husband’s relationship from best friends to lovers:

@livzbihley It always works out in the movies so I figured I’d shoot my shot 🤷🏻‍♀️ #relationships #friendstoloverstrope ♬ Where’d All the Time Go? – Dr. Dog

You can follow Olivia on TikTok to watch her interesting video.