Who's Your Ride or Die?

I've never liked the expression ride or die. It always sounded a little dramatic to me, like a line from a movie rather than a real expression of a relationship. And as someone who makes a conscious effort to live steady and grounded, that phrase didn't resonate.

But after a recent coffee with friends, the phrase came up, and for the first time, I actually paused to think about it.

By definition, ride or die describes a highly loyal and supportive relationship, whether it's a friendship or a romantic partnership. It implies unwavering commitment—to stick with someone through thick and thin, in the mess and the mundane. If that's the case, I suppose my first ride-or-die relationships started early on… with my siblings.

Even now, my brother and sister are still up there on my list. My husband, without question, is at the very top. And there are a few close friends I know who would show up for me, no matter what. These are the people who've seen me at my best and stood by me at my worst. They don't just tolerate the hard parts of life with me-they step into them.

To me, a true ride or die is someone willing to go beyond the surface, into the messy, complicated, not-so-filtered parts of life. They lay down arrogance, pride, and competition. They're not in it for what they can gain but for what they can give. These relationships are built on trust, often forged through shared experiences that aren't always pretty.

What strikes me most about this kind of loyalty is how rare it is. And yet, it reminds me of the one relationship I've come to count on above all others: my relationship with God.

He meets and exceeds every description of a ride or die.

He's never left and never will. He's not going anywhere, no matter how far I've strayed or how messy things get. God's love is constant, refining, and protective. He loves us even when we're hard to love. His loyalty isn't based on performance and His promises don't wear out. His heart breaks when ours does and He doesn't just ride with us—He carries us. 

And remembering His love helps me filter through the other relationships in my life. Who mirrors even a fraction of that steadfastness? Who shows up with grace when I don't have it all together? Who tells me the truth in love and sticks around when it's not convenient? These are the markers of love that reflect the One who is love.

I can also offer more grace when even my best people fall short because they will. Because we all do. But He won't.

So I'll ask you what I've been asking myself lately:

Who is your ride or die?

And more importantly…

What qualities in them reflect Jesus?

Because loyalty isn't just about sticking around, it's about showing up like He does—patient, kind, unshakable, and full of grace. And maybe, just maybe, we become someone else's ride or die—not by being perfect, but by being present.