Moment With Mel: Why Girlfriends Are The Best
This past weekend I spent a long weekend at the beach with some girlfriends. And this group of girls isn’t just any group: I’ve known this group of ladies since I was a teenager. A few I met in 7th grade and two I met at the age of 15. Spending a long weekend laughing and being silly with them was so good for me.
Just like any friends, we’ve all done different things throughout the years, and at times we’ve lost touch. It happens in life. But no matter what has happened in our lives, we can still get together and it’s like no time has passed. There have been husbands, kids, career changes, weight gains and losses, medical issues and even death. But if one of us needs to talk or needs a hug, we are always there for each other. We’ve shared more secrets and laughs than I can count, and I feel truly blessed to have these ladies in my life.
It’s crazy to think that we’re all now in our fifties. The memories we’ve made together could fill up a book! From first loves in middle school to wild times in high school to becoming parents, we’ve shared all the ups and downs. I’m not sure if we’re the norm when it comes to friends. Over the last 30 plus years, (ugh…how has it been that long) there has never been a fight or a disagreement that has kept us apart. Now, don’t get me wrong, we all think differently about certain things and there have been times we haven’t agreed on some things but that’s never broken our bond as friends.
I’ve moved, been divorced, suffered health issues, and switched careers and if I reach out, they are there. Never have these girls judged me, only loved me. When I had neck surgery earlier this year, all of these ladies stepped up and helped me. They brought food and gifts and checked on me constantly.
My mom, who is in her late 70’s, still goes on a girls beach trip yearly with her friends. My hope is that as we continue to grow older, my friends and I will still make time to escape from life for a few days and act silly. We don’t go out, don’t wear makeup, eat too much, drink too much and laugh. Those laughs are truly the best medicine! Stress, anxiety, and thoughts of the daily grind go away. And just those few days is worth so much!
It takes an effort to maintain friendships. Sometimes it’s not easy to see each other due to schedules and family, but it’s so worth making that effort. I’m hoping after our fun weekend that my group will try and get together more often. COVID stopped gatherings over the last year, but things are moving in a positive direction now. I’m hoping we can all hang out a bit more than we have over the last year.
If you have a group of friends that you love, that make you laugh, and that are always there for you, cherish that friendship. Don’t take it for granted. Life throws some serious curve balls and you never see them coming. Make time for the giggles! No matter what happens, the memories you make with a solid group of friends will stay with you always. I can’t wait for our next girls beach weekend!
To quote Carrie Bradshaw from “Sex in the City”, “They say nothing lasts forever; dreams change, trends come and go, but friendships never go out of style.” SO true!
