Yesterday I wrote about how one of my oldest friends, Athena makes me laugh. And the response was really overwhelming. It got me thinking about the importance of friendships, especially girlfriends in our lives.

While I was on a recent trip to England while talking to my friend Erica over a “proper” burger and a point we were discussing how the desire to find quality girlfriends is something so innate in both of us. It’s as essential to having a good job or place to live.

I’ve been very blessed that throughout my life, my circle has always had many different, wonderful faces of strong, beautiful, intelligent women in it. From my friends from childhood like Jennie, Guin, Emily & Ali, I’ve always known I could count on those ladies to support me and love me for who I was and always have been. They’ve known me from the beginning and that’s a very cool (& rare) thing.

“The Cooters” from my college days, is a group all unto themselves. Those gals could rule a small country (& just might someday). I’ll never forget meeting the bulk of them at a memorial service for my dearest childhood friend, Laura when Melissa, one of “The Cooters”, came up to me as I was crying my eyes out in the bushes & trying not to be physically ill & said, “come on, let’s go. It looks like you could use some new friends.” And a friendship (& sisterhood) was born.

The ladies I met in college will always hold a special place in my heart as well as it was such a time of growth for me. They helped shape me into who I am, (& boy did we have fun doing it too). Sara, Valerie, Danielle, Courtney, Elissa, Terese and Sarah Rose, you all made Potsdam the first time around an experience unto itself and did so with grace, beauty & a pinch of something spicy. Thank you.

My California girls, Kym, Becky, Frances, Roxanne, & Libby. Well, they were truly lifesavers. On more than one occasion those ladies all went above and beyond the call of friendship and stepped in to help me when I needed them most. That is true love & devotion right there & I was beyond blessed to have crossed paths which each of them. (Side note: Nothing was more special than meeting up with Becky & her new baby Isla this fall outside London on my recent trip to England. It was as if no time had passed at all & we picked up right where we left off.)

Rounding out my list of amazing females are my Potsdam Gals: Karen, (& my “Strong Ladies”) Amy, Jenna, Janet, and Anna. Each woman has offered me something unique & different that has made our friendship special and worthwhile. Some, you cultivate more than others and some you just let bloom into what they’re going to be. Jenna & I knew each other in college and then reconnected over a decade later when she came back to teach in Potsdam. She’s left the area again now but remains one of my dearest friends. Amy has also left, but will always have a place in my heart as one of my first girlfriends I made when I moved back home. Janet was one of my inspirations for writing this piece today as we were discussing all the joys of womanhood this morning and laughing & I realized how truly lucky I am to have her in my life. And Anna is such a dear soul who shares her beautiful family with me & her love & light on a daily basis.

“K” & the “Strong Ladies” have been such a tremendous sense of support for me over the past couple of years & it was so wonderful to be able to go with her & see her childhood home in England this fall. I met some of her “girls” whilst on that trip and got a glimpse into what they were all like as kids and how their friendships have grown over the years too.

I’d be remised not to mention my female cousins in this list of women friends too. I’m so fortunate that I have such a wonderful family and that I get along with them all as well as I do. Rachel, Ali, Emma, Roberta, Kate, Heather & Hillary are each dynamic, funny & beautiful women in their own right. And I really enjoy spending time with each and every one of them, OUTSIDE from family functions!!! Hahaha!

Over the past few months, I’ve been logging into a Facebook group called “Pantsuit Nation” which I can only describe as a type of “secret sisterhood” where people can share their stories in a safe & welcoming environment about anything from love, job, home, social injustice. There really are no limits. There are men who post on there too, but the strength of the women in the group give it a kinship that really makes you feel bonded to one another. It’s a chance to see that other women are also out there craving that camaraderie and closeness. I think it’s human nature.

One of my favorite depictions of the bonds between females is in the television show “Sex and the City.” The 4 women in that series really captured how your friends can truly become your family if you let them. A favorite quote of mine from SATC is “They say nothing lasts forever; dreams change, trends come and go, but friendships never go out of style”. That is some REALLY GOOD STUFF!

*This post is dedicated to Laura, Liz, Cragin & Jennifer. Miss your beautiful smiles each and every day!

** To any of my amazing women friends who may have unintentionally been left off this list, know you hold the deepest place in my heart. This was just a quick dip into a pool of my recollection & not a serious inventory of my friendships. I love you with all my heart and hope you understand it’s not my intention to exclude anyone with this posting.