Modern friendships can take many forms, as seen in the unique story of two young women living together as platonic soulmates, sharing experiences and daily life without romantic involvement.
Imogen Clarke and Estella Kyriacou, both age 25, met on the dating app Bumble BFF, and their instant connection has blossomed rapidly over the months.
While their relationship might seem like something out of the ordinary, it's increasingly common for people to seek companionship beyond traditional romantic boundaries.
After moving to London separately—Kyriacou from Toronto for law studies and Clarke from elsewhere in the UK for work—they found themselves feeling lonely.
Both women quickly became disillusioned with their individual living situations and sought new connections.
Clarke lived with roommates who weren’t particularly social, and Kyriacou was housed among fellow university students, missing other forms of companionship.
It was through their Bumble BFF profiles, filled with interests like fashion, travel, and dining, which drew them together.
They connected over shared ambitions and quickly realized they could not only be friends but potential roommates, finding joy and fun together.
After just three weeks of talking on Bumble, they met for drinks, with Clarke stating, "We didn't waste any time. I knew after I left, I could see myself being good friends with Estella."
Within weeks they signed a lease, determined to live together, and by the 1st of May, they had made it official.
Before moving, they often joked about sleepovers, but it took only one incident with her bedroom spider for those jokes to turn serious.
When Kyriacou fled to Clarke's bed one night, it quickly became their norm, and they embraced the arrangement, sharing space comfortably.
"I kept making jokes, saying 'I'm going to kick you out.' But then I'd be like, 'oh no wait, I don't mean it, you can stay,” Clarke recalled.
The duo finds joy and comfort, like people sharing space during vacations, joking and laughing before sleep.
Despite their closeness, some people presume there's more to their friendship, with potential romantic feelings lurking beneath the surface.
"At first, we were like, wait, do you think we love each other?" Kyriacou recounted, only to dismiss the idea, reinforcing their commitment to being platonic.
This scenario highlights how friendship dynamics can evolve, fitting contemporary societal norms where platonic cohabitation is more accepted.
It also emphasizes something bigger: the growing loneliness among young adults today.
According to U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, loneliness has reached epidemic levels, particularly among younger people.
A survey by Cigna found 79% of adults aged 18-24 reported feeling lonely, highlighting how Clarke and Kyriacou's bond is something many seek today.
Surprisingly, their rapid friendship and willingness to live together showcase how interconnectedness is emerging through modern platforms.
While these friendships, like theirs, most likely won’t fit everyone’s expectations, they provide alternatives to traditional living arrangements.
People often find commonality and comfort through shared experiences, with many Ashley Brown stating, "It's hard after university or school, and being in the workforce, it's hard to click with people."
From social media to dating apps, platforms now exist to create friendships as well as romantic bonds, bridging loneliness with connection.
Building connections with others remains challenging, especially with differing life stages and obligations, complicates the process.
Kyriacou realized others her age were stepping more seriously toward adulthood, preferring the jovial and carefree life they are leading.
The two hotly recommend being open to friendships wherever they may arise, whether through social networks, group activities, or casual meet-ups.
Finally, after some initial embarrassment about meeting on Bumble BFF, they openly share their unconventional story with family and friends, celebrating their fast friendship.
"I literally didn't know you could make a friend this great," Clarke exclaimed, encapsulating the excitement and joy derived from genuine companionship.
