Relationship V.S Friendship

Which boat sails the furthest? In this case, I'm not referring to the choice of being attached or remaining single, but more on if a friendship can truly stand through the tests of time and turbulence. The turbulence here, being a relationship.

I used to think one could fall back easily between the two. If you liked one another enough to date, surely you could be civilised enough to still remain friends? However, from what I've experienced, the transition to becoming good friends again, is a long one.

What kind of friends do you decide to be? Merely acquaintances or "mates'? Friends with "fringe" benifits? True good pals/ confidants? Friendship I have come to discover is a subjective entity, it doesn't just have one true definition on how the relationship between the two people should be like.

The values of a friendship however will remain. Trust, loyalty, honesty, gratitude, sacrifice, etc..
If one is able to be observant, these values exist even within a romantic relationship.

I guess the transition from relationship to friendship will truly be successful, if these values are still passed down. Minus the groping of course :)

On the other hand, I'm still waiting for this ship to sail and be on its way. Maybe the next issue I try to analyse should be if dating a good friend is ever a good idea.