Published
I’m sure it’s pregnancy, but I’ve been feeling really blessed by some of the women in my life and just so grateful lately.
I’ve always been a girls’ girl. I know some women do better with guys, but I’m not one of them. I have guy friends, but female friendships give me energy, joy, contentment and more. And since becoming a mama, I rely on my female friends even more. Today I’m writing a little ode to my most important female friendships. Acknowledging these friendships makes me want to be a better friend to everyone. True friendships are not ones that include judgment, jealousy, grudges. They are the ones that forgive, give the benefit of the doubt, assume positive intent, try to stay in touch even when life gets in the way… Cheers to wonderful female friendships!
To the friend who shared maternity leave with me nearly three years ago and saw me in some of my most joy-filled moments and my darkest. I will ALWAYS have a soft spot in my heart for you. You will always be someone I feel comfortable going to on hard days and someone I trust beyond words. Those months of new mom friendship created something remarkable and something I’m so grateful for. We may not see each other as often as we’d like, but your friendship gives me so much strength.
To the friend who is just always there, the friend who drops off flowers on my porch on my birthday with your two boys in tow (no small feat), texts me offering to make dessert for my son’s birthday on a day when I am feeling SO overwhelmed. I hope I can give you an ounce of the generosity you’ve given me. Thank you.
To several women who live in my neighborhood who went from being acquaintances to true friends in just a year or two. I can’t believe the bond we’ve formed and how comfortable I am confiding in you. Distance may make the heart grow fonder, but this lack of distance certainly makes our friendships SO easy and wonderful. I’m thankful my children get to grow up with your children and we get to drink wine together in our backyards while the kids run free on the soccer field or at the park. OK, that sounds irresponsible if you don’t know how tight our neighborhood is and don’t understand that we can see the park out some of my neighbors back windows. :) You and your families make daily life so good. And back when I was a suburb-hater/judger, I would never have guessed the type of women who would someday be my neighbor in a suburb. That woman back then was wrong. This is the good life. :)
To the cousin who is and always will be my best friend and sister. Living in the same city once again has added so much joy and comfort to my life. My son is lucky to call you his aunty and I am lucky to see you so much more. It’s not the three blocks between us that we had in our small hometown, but it’s manageable and I hope we get to be this close forever. You are good for my soul and I hope I will always give your soul peace and joy too.
To the woman who has somehow become one of my best friends and greatest confidants without ever meeting in person. Our daily (usually multiple times daily) conversations add so much to my life. You are a kind soul. You are humble and honest. You are the person I go to even at my weakest. You hear things that no other person but my husband knows and you don’t judge. You work through struggles with me and celebrate accomplishments with me. All of this with many miles between us while you are dealing with one of the biggest challenges of your entire life. I can only strive to be the kind of friend you’ve been to me. Thank you!
To my friend since forever ago who moved far away, this friendship that is effortless yet constant. Someday you will move back and things will be even better, but even with all of this distance, our friendship is as strong as any other. Let’s be honest though, I can’t wait until you get back here and we can craft, reupholster and think up crazy home decorating schemes and spend hours working on them. Nothing better. But for now, we’ll have to settle for twice-annual visits and a few ladies trips together. Friends for life.
And to all of my mama friends! Is there anything better than watching our children play together? I can’t think of anything. Even during those really wild, obnoxious nights, I love that I get to spend time with you while our children learn to share, to play nicely, to apologize after hurting each other etc… Being a mom is so much better because of you.
There are other women who are wonderful in my life too. I feel so much more confident as I get closer to having our second baby, knowing that I have the support and friendships of the women I have in my life right now. I am surrounded by really great people.
And these great people make me want to be an incredible friend. I’m working hard to be the kind of friend that can help lighten the load once in a while for the women in my life. It takes work, but it’s worth it.
Does pregnancy make you all emotional and lovey dovey too? I’m feeling it today. :)
Happy Friday! I’ll be back to regular posts soon.
Images from top to bottom: Photogen Inc, DNK Photography, someone’s iPhone, Laura Ivanova Photography, Photogen Inc and the rest were taken by friends with cameras and phones.
p.s. Now I need a happy hour with my ladies!
I just cried a little…
Thank you, I’m at a loss for words beyond just thank you at the moment, it’s an all encompassing thanks!
I’ve been crying all morning and wanted to text you. Haha! :) I wrote a blog post instead. I’m a dork like that. SO much love for you!
I just cried A LOT!
Jes, this was so touching! Thank you for sharing. While it hurts to be so far from you, I too look forward to the day where we can reunite in our crafty endeavors! Love you Momma!
So much to look forward to, but even with you where you are, things are good! So so so thankful I won the friend lottery by meeting you many many years ago!
OMG, I cried, too! I feel blessed to have you as a friend! When you put good into the world, you get good back (or something like that). You do so many good things for people and that’s why you get “good” back! Proud to know you and call you friend!
Ha! At least all of these other strong women are crying too! Mine can clearly be blamed on pregnancy hormones, but I feel a lot less silly now. :) You are a wonderful friend and yes! Totally lucky to call you a friend!
You moved me to tears—-words dont describe how grateful I am for our relationship. I love you!
What a wordsmith! That was so so lovely to read. I could identify with so much of what you wrote, and apply it to my friendships too. Just beautifully written!
As for this neighborhood and it’s ability to create connections quickly, I love it too. I’m so happy to be surrounded by so many amazing women. Spring is here, and I can assure you it’s going to be another great outdoor season of hanging with the kids and treating ourselves to a little vino in the process.
Thanks so much Heidi! Love having your friendship, wisdom and crazy ideas surrounding me. :)
I went from saying “hey I’m in that picture” to tears at work! We may not see each other often or speak as often as we should, but I will always consider you one of my best friends!
Jessica! Totally made my day and week and month…and maybe even year. (ok except for baby related news) ;) You know I adore you friend! And I love this ode to friendship! I’m totally a girl’s girl myself and SO relate to needing and appreciating female friendships!! You already are an amazing friend and I appreciate it more than you know- ESPECIALLY during this challenging time! xo friend!
Just shared my deeper love in a text (ha! ;)), so don’t feel the need to say much more, but you are amazing!
Yeah, I had to stop reading after the first few paragraphs. Too much emotion on a Friday night with wine!
I’ve always been “one of the guys” in a sense, but in the past 5 years I’ve become so much more focused on the female relationships I have. We may have great husbands, and great kids, or great families we come from, but there is NOTHING quite like the bond you make with special girlfriends who have simply chosen you for you.
You are an amazing woman with amazing talent and a genuine heart. Anyone would be lucky to have your friendship. Thankfully, chance brought us together but choice keeps us from drifting apart. XO!
What an amazing testament to just how important friendships are! As women, we juggle so many different roles (wife, mom, sister, daugther, granddaughter, cousin, manager, etc.) and I personally don’t know how I’d do it without my girlfriends who reenergize me EVERY DAY to keep on keepin’ on!! You, my friend, have been such a blessing to me and I’m thankful everyday that that suburb hater/judger reformed and made the leap of faith that you did. I absolutely cherish your friendship and feel so lucky to be able to raise our families together…it takes a village, right?!
Oh lady! Yes it does! You make a simple playdate a party. Life is so much better here. :)
A little late to the party to this one, but just sat down to read your most recent posts and fell in love with this one! I love my girls so much too! This was written with so much heart and soul and so well said. Right back atcha too! So glad we are neighbors. The women in our lives definitely fill a spot in our hearts that no one else can. xoxo