What It’s Like to Live Next Door to Your Best Friend Right Now

There’ve also been challenges, of course, like when Amina and I were living together.

Amina: My family is Muslim, and my parents were a bit uncomfortable about me living with a member of the opposite sex. That was something I had to explain to Lincoln, culturally, that even though my parents didn’t want me to live with him, that they still love him to death. But I think my parents really learn and grow with us.

Lincoln: I was like, “Y’all, I’m gay. It doesn’t matter.”

Beck: Are they feeling better about you guys living together the second time?

Amina: My mom’s okay, but my dad will always struggle. He’s not going to change at this point. There’s a level of respect I will always give to my parents, but, you know, it’s happening.

Beck: What was it like living next door to each other pre-pandemic, and how have things changed?

Lincoln: My love languages are physical touch and quality time, so my crops are dying over here. It’s really put into perspective how many times I normally run down the hallway and barge into Amina’s apartment with anything that’s funny or any hot gossip. I keep putting on my house slippers, ready to go out the door, and then I realize Oh no, I can’t do that.” But it’s also made me aware of how lucky we are to have our people so close. I’m quarantining with my boyfriend, and then my best friend is across from me. I still physically see her every day, even if I can’t be in the same space as her.

It’s been nice to take a break from the screens during the workday and go onto the balcony. I’ll [go and] flail my arms, she’ll come out, and we’ll talk about anything and everything.

Amina: Sometimes when I don’t see him, he’ll just yell out my name again and again, like, “Amina! Amina! Amina!” Then I’ll come out and he’ll be gone, but the neighbors will be out and they’ll tell me,

“Oh, he was trying to call you. You should probably call him back.”

Lincoln: Most of our neighbors with balconies are in on it; they know us.

Beck: Has living through this moment in history changed how you think about relationships, friendships in particular?

Lincoln: Growing up, you’re really taught that you’re supposed to find one person in your life who’s your support system, and the message is that it has to be the romantic partner.

Amina: Lincoln comes from a very Christian family, I come from a Muslim family, and at first when we got really close, it was kind of like, Oh, a boy and a girl. Are they in love? Are they dating? We’ve both been single for the majority of our friendship, and it’s really shown me that my best friend is the person who gives me all those things. I think that’s beautiful, that I don’t have to go looking for a guy to give that to me. When I am dating, I feel so secure because I [already] have this guy named Lincoln who I can talk to about everything.