My RVA girlies: Anna, Christy, Casey, Lisa (who is technically from Roanoke, but she is absolutely part of the gang), & Kaitlyn.
These girls fill my cup.
At some point in life, as a woman, you realize that female friendships aren’t secondary relationships. They are some of the most important relationships you will ever have. These are the people you go to when you need to vent, celebrate, cry, sympathize or laugh until your stomach hurts. They understand the things that sometimes don’t even need to be explained.
There is truly nothing like having close girlfriends. And scienctific studies back this up- strong friendships and social connections are good for our emotional and physical health. But I didn’t need a scientific study to tell me that. I feel it every time I am with these women.
These are my travel girls. Together, we have been to Miami, Barbados and Napa, with so many more destinations still on our list. We have shared incredible meals, too much wine, nonstop laughter and the kind of stories that will absolutely remain within the group chat.
They spoil me with birthday gifts that aren’t just things, but experiences—luxuries like spa days and winery days that give us time together. They bring me Hermès scarves when my hair falls out. They visit me in the hospital carrying baskets overflowing with thoughtful gifts and everything I might possibly need. They check on me, love me and remind me who I am outside of cancer.
And I know without question that if I said the word, they would be standing on my doorstep in Houston with a bottle of wine, ready to laugh with me, cry with me or simply sit beside me.
That kind of friendship is a gift I will never take for granted.
Long before this diagnosis, whenever one of us was having a hard time and someone asked, “What would make you feel better?” we always had the same answer:
A girls’ trip.
Girls’ trip is always the answer.
I cannot wait until we are planning the next one and adding another destination to our list, packing way too many outfits and laughing about things no one else would understand.
I love you, girls. Thank you for filling my cup again and again, especially when life has tried so hard to empty it.
