I met a man recently and shared with him what Girlfriendology is about. How our goal, and the reason we started this, is to inspire women to share life with their female friends. It’s our own mission to make women healthier, happier, live longer, less stressed and feel more beautiful (all the proven benefits of female friendship). Girlfriendology is here to remind women to reach out to new friends, spend time with each other and appreciate the women in our lives. We celebrate friendship and the wonderful way that women collaborate, support and encourage each other.

This man is intelligent, funny, poised and professional. He shared how he and his wife are happy to spend their time together with just their family. They are content without the need for many outside friends, perhaps just spending time occasionally with other couples or people they come in contact with at work.

He’s not the first to doubt the premise of this site and community. And I’m sure he won’t be the last. I don’t disrespect or dislike him for having a different opinion – that’s what makes human interaction challenging and enlightening. That’s also what gives us opportunity to learn and to explore, and at least consider, a different view.

But knowing what I know (about the value of female friendship and personally how I couldn’t make it a day without my friends), and being creative (we all are, I just personally feel thankful for that quality), I believe there is a way to get this message out. I trust that there is an audience of women who also understand this human need for social support and networks of WOMEN who have no ulterior motive but to love and be loved by their friends. I believe in the stories that I hear of women helping each other through cancer, divorce, bad bosses or bad hair days.

Personally I know what my girlfriends bring into my life – laughter, memories, viewpoints, lessons, accountability, challenges, celebrations, generousity, support and unconditional love. Sure, my husband and my dog/cat can supply some of these, and I’m very thankful for that (and them). Guy friends are great and I need them too. But I know I desperately need the female friends who ‘get’ me, who know my fears and dreams, who let me be scared or silly, and who are there for me when I just need a hug, a shoulder or a good laugh.

What do you think? Do we really need girlfriends or can guy friends, husbands, pets, casual women friendships suffice?

p.s. So many girlfriends came to mind as I wrote this … like Becky who is dealing with a terribly painful situation yet still finds time for me (and shows me how much she needs her girlfriends), Jill and Tina who care about me and my business and recently ‘dressed’ me for a conference (thanks for your ’sponsorship’!) and so many others. I feel blessed and I want you to as well.

Tags: accountability, Family, Friends, friendship, girlfriend

This entry was posted on Wednesday, October 21st, 2009 at 9:10 am and is filed under Girlfriend Inspiration. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.