This is a real friendship story about Ninni and Hannah, who found each other on Gofrendly just after big changes in both their lives, and became best friends. Here’s how it happened, with their own words along the way.
Key Takeaways
- Ninni had just been through a separation and Hannah had just moved to a new city when they found each other on Gofrendly.
- They started with coffee and the odd meet-up, and after about a month they both realised how much they enjoyed each other’s company.
- Today they talk at least three times a day and meet as often as they can.
Ninni & Hannah’s Real Friendship Story
Ninni had recently gone through a separation, and Hannah had just relocated to a new city when they discovered each other on Gofrendly. “Without Gofrendly, we wouldn’t have found each other. We talk to each other at least three times a day and try to meet as often as we can,” says Hannah. “This app has played a significant role in our lives,” Ninni adds.
They had a lot in common in terms of interests and preferences. They went for coffee first and met up now and then, but after about a month they both realised how much they enjoyed each other’s company. From then on, they spent more and more time together and became best friends.
“It's almost unbelievable how perfectly we complement each other, and we have a blast whenever we're together.”
— Ninni & Hannah, Gofrendly membersTheir friendship covers a lot of ground. They enjoy nights out at clubs and parties, and they also love working out side by side at the gym. “Or sometimes, we just meet and chat. We can talk about anything, and having someone with whom you can share everything feels absolutely fantastic,” Hannah says.
Finding New Friends in a New City
“Moving to [a new city] and trying to build new connections isn’t the easiest task. Many people want to meet new friends in this city, but it can be quite challenging. Everyone has their own lives – partners, families, and long-standing friendships,” Ninni points out.
Ninni moved around in her late teens and settled in the city seven years ago with her then-boyfriend. When that relationship ended, she felt the need to find new women friends. Hannah, who had moved from another city fairly recently, found Gofrendly, the women-only friendship app, through a friend who was already using the app. It’s been nearly a year since they first connected, and both are confident their friendship will keep growing.
“We’ve even promised each other that we’ll live in the same retirement home when we grow old!” Hannah says, laughing. If you’ve recently moved and want to build a circle of your own, our guide on how to make friends in a new city is a good place to start.
Ready for Your Own Fresh Start?
Gofrendly is a women-only app for meeting new friends, whether you've just moved or your life has simply changed.
What Ninni & Hannah’s Friendship Can Teach You
A few things stand out in their story.
- Big changes can be a starting point. They found each other right after a separation and a move.
- Give it a little time. They started with coffee and the odd meet-up, and it took about a month before they both realised how much they enjoyed each other’s company.
- Keep in touch often. Today they talk at least three times a day and meet as often as they can.
- Share more than one thing. Nights out, the gym and long chats: their friendship has room for all of it.
A meta-analysis of 277 studies by Cornelia Wrzus and colleagues found that friendship networks tend to shrink through adulthood, and that life events such as starting a first job, becoming a parent or being widowed change our networks in ways similar to getting older.
277studies with 177,635 participants found that life events such as starting work, parenthood and widowhood changed people’s networks in ways similar to getting older.
Source: Wrzus, Hänel, Wagner & Neyer (2013), Psychological Bulletin
Frequently asked questions
Is this a real Gofrendly member story?
Yes. Ninni and Hannah shared their own experience of meeting through Gofrendly. Their story has been lightly edited for length and clarity, and place names have been left out.
What do Ninni and Hannah do together?
Everything from nights out at clubs and parties to working out side by side at the gym. Sometimes they just meet and chat, because, as Hannah puts it, they can talk about anything.
Can I share my own Gofrendly friendship story?
We’d love to hear it – every real friendship story starts with someone sharing theirs. Share your friendship story through our form.
New chapters can feel lonely at first, but they can also be where the best friendships begin. If your circle has shrunk after a big change, you’re far from alone: our guide is it normal to not have friends? explains why it happens, and Debbie and Carita’s story shows another friendship that started after a move.
