Girlfriends

Girlfriends are as critical to us as the oxygen we breathe. When I think about my girlfriends and the role they have played in my life, I think about the unconditional love, the unwavering support, the continuous laughter, and the heartwarming emotions. There’s just something about a girlfriend.

They’re different from your mom. They're different from your spouse. They can be people who are going through similar things as you, or they might just be the person you trust enough to share your emotions and experiences with. You might be a teenager talking with your girlfriend about a crush you have. They can understand and relate, all the while giggling with you. Maybe as an adult you’re confiding in your girlfriend about challenges in your marriage that you don’t want anybody else to know. They are there to support and listen to you. Perhaps you want to share with your girlfriend the fears and worries you have about your career. They are there with some strong words of encouragement to help you get through that difficult time. 

They are people with whom you can let your guard down. They’re non-judge mental. They give you the best advice and are the ones who tell you things you don’t really want to hear but need to know. They’re fun and crazy and adventurous. 
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I strive to be the same thing for my girlfriends. I hope they know that I am the shoulder they can cry on, the person who will be their cheerleader, the person who will keep them grounded and remind them of their roots. It’s like having a check-in buddy, an accountability coach, and a partner in crime.
There are all kinds of girlfriends. I have many circles of them. I have high school girlfriends, current and former work friends, golf friends, book club friends, lake friends, and lifelong friends I’ve known since kindergarten. Each person, in their own unique way, adds to the person that I am. They all fill me up in different ways. They see my strengths and my weaknesses uniquely, and that’s the best part of having girlfriends.

What I have learned: Friends come in all shapes and sizes. Every girlfriend contributes to the friendship in a unique way, and they all play an important role in your life. Cherish these beautiful ladies.