True Friendship

A weekend with the girls. San Diego, CA. One flying in from Seattle WA, one from Austin TX, one from Outlook SK (where’s that?), and one from Toronto ON. Four girls and one baby ready to spend Mother’s Day weekend on the ocean.

We grew up together, these three girls and I, not in the sense of childhood years but where we started to find out who we are. Those high school years of drama and fights, forgiveness and tears, laughter and peed pants, outfit changes and crappy cars- these are what brought us close. We were there for each other when one would make a detour while on the path to finding ourselves. We were like sisters, and became blood sisters by a nick on each of our thumbs. I know, gross. The one thing that kept us together was the unconditional love, the knowledge that we would love each other no matter what.

After six years of being spread to the four corners of the continent (could we be ANY further apart?) it’s still there, that love. We talk on the phone sporadically, messaging and posting pictures on our groupme a bit more often, but when we meet it’s still the same. I think we are a more mature(ish), responsible versions of ourselves, but the girls inside of us are still there. Ready to laugh, cry, and have a good time.

To have a friend that knows you, gets you, forgives you and still loves you is so huge. I used to think that’s how all best friendships are- how could you be best friends if you can’t talk about absolutely anything with them? Creating this kind of friendship, especially as a mom, is challenging. Opening yourself up to someone completely and letting them see the whole you is so scary. Being vulnerable, admitting that you don’t have all your stuff together- what would they think of me? It seems to be easier to stay closed off and safe.

But look at what you miss out on when you don’t open up. These friendships are the ones that last a lifetime. It takes effort from both sides to build the friendship and keep it going, but it takes one person to open up first. So thank you, my BFFs, for letting me be vulnerable with you and accepting the whole me. Most of all, thank you for showing me what a true friendship can be like.