I overheard my friend saying really nice things about me and I've been treating him better ever since
A few weeks ago I was at a friend's place with a small group of people. I went to the kitchen to grab another drink, and while I was coming back I heard one of my closest friends talking about me in the other room.
I stopped for a second because hearing your own name automatically makes you listen. I expected some joke or maybe a complaint.
Instead, he was telling someone that I'm one of the few people he can actually rely on, that I've helped him through some really shitty periods, and that he hopes we stay friends when we're old. He even defended this annoying habit I have that everyone usually makes fun of lol.
I don't think he knew I was anywhere near the room.
I walked back in a minute later and acted like I hadn't heard anything. He immediately went back to roasting me like normal.
But since then I've noticed I'm nicer to him in these tiny ways. I answer his messages faster. If I'm getting food, I ask if he wants anything. I offered to drive him somewhere last week even though it was kinda inconvenient.
Nothing huge, but I definitely have more patience with him now.
And the embarrassing part is that apparently I needed to secretly hear someone say they value me before I started showing them more clearly that I value them too.
I'm never telling him I overheard it because he'd probably die of embarrassment and deny every word. But it's been stuck in my head ever since.
I always assumed people probably tolerate me more than they actually like me, and hearing someone speak warmly about me when there was absolutely no reason to perform for me hit way harder than any compliment said to my face.
He has no idea, but that accidental 30 seconds probably made me a better friend.