From the very inception of the show 'How I Met Your Mother' (HIMYM), the characters Ted and Lily became fan favorites, partly due to their pure, hormone free, platonic friendship. The bond between Ted, the hopeless romantic and Lily, the outspoken artist, is one that transcends the traditional barriers of a male-female friendship.

Their relationship contains elements of humor, warmth, compassion and a generous sprinkling of hearty disagreements. This fiction delves into the rich tapestry of Lily and Ted's relationship to explore the depth of their bond that resulted in a grapefruit lamp, a historic high five, and a stripper doppelganger named Jasmine.

I. Mutual Respect:

One aspect that keeps Lily and Ted's relationship enduring over the nine seasons of HIMYM is their unconditional respect for each other. They correct each other, argue, be brutally honest, but never cross that line which may offend the other person. This mutual admiration forms the foundation of their friendship.

For instance, when Ted impulsively bought a house in Season 6, Lily stood by his decision, because she believed in his dreams. Conversely, Ted accepted Lily's decision to go to San Francisco and pursue art, showing acceptance of each other's life choices.

II. Element of Honesty:

There's no duplicity or sham in Lily and Ted's relationship. Despite their own flaws and foibles, they have always proved to be honest in their interactions. For instance, Lily is often in Ted's ear when she feels he is going astray, as evidence by the whole "Aldrin Justice" incident.

Similarly, Ted is not afraid to call Lily out on her controlling behavior. When in turmoil, they both turn to each other to get peace of mind, knowing they will receive an unbiased opinion, cementing the trust between them.

III. Shared History:

With an impressive amount of throwback episodes in HIMYM that paint Lily and Ted's shared history, the duo's past makes their bond beautiful, yet complex. Their shared history of staying roommates for years fosters a sense of understanding and familiarity, making it easier to understand why they often 'get' each other, even when no one else does.

From college parties to countless Halloween, to intervening in each other's love life, their shared history gave way to a deeper friendship, strengthening the bond between Lily Aldrin and Ted Mosby further.

IV. Balanced Friendship:

Many times in HIMYM, we see Ted and Lily balance each other's impulses. When Lily tends to get restless or anxious about her decisions, Ted is always there to calm her fears and offer sensible advice. When Ted overthinks about his relationships, it's Lily who interjects a bit of spontaneity into his life.

A perfect representation of their balancing act is when Lily helps Ted realize he's in love with Robin, yet also makes him understand that timing is key in any relationship. Their friendship thrives on this balance and mutual support.

V. Humor Factor:

More than once, viewers are regaled with their inside jokes (you know the ones about Sasquatches and puns). This humor, light-heartedness, and goodwill in their friendship, form an important part of their bond. They know how to have fun together which is evident in their high-five sessions or their comical discussions about imaginary crimes and convoluted conspiracy theories.

Humor also serves as a cushioning for them in adversity. It is their shared laughter that helps them through the difficult times, and bounce back together, stronger than before.

VI. Unconditional Support:

Support is at the heart of Lily and Ted’s friendship. Even when they disagree with one another's choices, they are still there to provide unconditional backup. An episodic example is when Ted supports Lily’s decision to go to California for her art program, even though he was against it initially.

Similarly, Lily supported Ted through every romantic fallout and was his ‘wing-man�in many episodes. She kept him grounded when he got carried away with his romantic fantasies. This unconditional support assures them that they always have someone on their side.

VII. Emotional Intimacy:

Despite their platonic relationship, their emotional intimacy is something rarely seen on TV. They are comfortable confiding their deepest thoughts, secrets, fears, and aspirations with each other. This emotional closeness forms an integral part of their friendship equation.

For instance, Ted confides in Lily about his worries of ending up alone, while Lily admits to Ted about her doubts on motherhood. These deep conversations have always led them to wise decisions and promising insights about life.

VIII. Adoration of Their Flaws:

Rather than being critical about each other’s falterings, they adore each other’s imperfections, making the audience believe that no one is perfect and flaws humanize a person. Lily knows that Ted is hopeless when it comes to love but instead of making fun of him, she takes it as an endearing trait.

Even though Ted thinks Lily is somewhat manipulative, he appreciates her for who she is. In fact, throughout the series, they both grow and learn from one another, turning their flaws into strengths.

IX. Tradition:

Ted and Lily have some iconic traditions in HIMYM, including the infamous slap bet. Additionally, from the annual Halloween party to their shared love for the countdowns for New Year’s Eve, all these traditions contribute significantly to their friendship.

These traditions not only bring some hilarious moments to the storyline but also become milestones in Ted and Lily's friendship, creating unforgettable moments both for them and the audience.

X. Artistic Camaraderie:

Lastly Lily and Ted share a special bond over their shared love for art and architecture. Throughout the series, it is shown that Ted respects Lily's career as an artist, and likewise, Lily is always supportive and admiring of Ted's work as an architect.

From the renowned 'Three Days of Snow' episode, where Ted helps Lily with her kindergarten art show to Lily aiding Ted with his GNB building ideas, their shared passion for art functions as an intangible tie that further amplifies their bond.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, this commitment to mutual respect, honesty, tradition, laughter, and support, heaped over a shared history, makes the bond between Ted and Lily one of the finest friendships portrayed on television. Their dynamic is a testament to the fact that a man and a woman can maintain a platonic relationship and be the greatest of friends.

FAQs:

Q1: Isn't Lily known for her manipulative tricks? Answer: Yes, Lily is known for her meddling behavior, but it is usually with the intention of helping her friends.

Q2: Is there any romantic involvement between Lily and Ted? Answer: No, Lily and Ted had a strictly platonic friendship. All though Ted did have a dream involving Lily once, it was not consequential at all.

Q3: Who is better for Ted, Robin or Lily? Answer: This question is subjective and varies from fan to fan. But as per the creators' story, Ted ends up with Robin, even though his friendship with Lily was also one of the major relationships in the series.

References:

1) Carter Bays & Thomas Craig (2005). How I Met Your Mother. [Television series]. 20th Television.

2) Thomas, C. (Director). (2009). The Sexless Innkeeper [Television episode]. In How I Met Your Mother. 20th Television.

3) Fryman, P. (Director). (2009). The Three Days Rule [Television episode]. In How I Met Your Mother. 20th Television.

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