When you start a relationship, there's part of the friendship that dies - you can never go back.

In this quote, Emily Bett Rickards explores the complex dynamic between friendship and romantic relationships. She suggests that when a friendship evolves into something more, part of that original connection changes or "dies." The transformation of a platonic relationship into a romantic one means that the dynamics shift, and there is no way to fully return to the way things were before. Rickards acknowledges that the natural course of these shifts can lead to a sense of loss, but also hints at the potential for growth in the new relationship.

The statement reflects the reality that the boundaries between friendship and romance can often blur. When two people start a romantic relationship, the emotional stakes are higher, and the connection is deepened, making it difficult to maintain the same casual, carefree nature that often characterizes a friendship. Rickards recognizes that this change, though sometimes painful, is a natural part of the process and that you cannot simply return to the previous dynamic once the relationship has evolved.

The origin of this quote likely comes from Emily Bett Rickards' own experiences or observations of the complexities that arise when friendships transition into romantic relationships. As an actress known for her role as Felicity Smoak on Arrow, a show that explored deep emotional bonds and relationships, Rickards might have drawn from both personal experience and her portrayal of relationships on screen. Her insight into the emotional toll of such transitions adds depth to the theme of change and growth in relationships.

Ultimately, Rickards highlights the irreversibility of the transformation that occurs when a friendship becomes a romantic relationship. While the shift may bring challenges, it also marks the beginning of a new phase, one that offers different types of emotional fulfillment, even if it means leaving behind the original friendship dynamic.