Are your friends your family?
Who do you call when you have good or not-so-good news? Friends or family?
Who do you spend time with on a regular basis, celebrate your birthday with, enjoy the anticipation of seeing again SOON? Who gives you the perfect birthday gift? Knows when to talk and when to listen? Lets you cry or makes you laugh?
For me, it’s my girlfriends. My sisters are great and are girlfriends, but most of my everyday moments and my highs and lows are spent with my BFFs.
To be honest, my mother doesn’t get this. She thinks that she should be my ‘girlfriend’ and someone in whom I confide and share all the secrets and details of my life. And, again being honest here (and thankful she doesn’t go online), we’ve never had that kind of relationship. I love her as a mom, I just feel closer to my friends and honestly feel like they’re my family.
My friends know how to tell me, gently, that I might be making a mistake. My best friends know my doubts and fears and help me navigate around them. My girlfriends know that sometimes I’m an extrovert and sometimes I’m an introvert – and don’t pigeonhole me into a corner.
Some of my friends are moms, some aren’t. Some are married, single, divorced, widowed or have partners of either gender. Some are Christian, Jewish, Democrat, Republican or a combination of the above. Some are silly, some serious, others are runners or artists, or a passionate follower of shoe sales!
But I love that they’re all my ’sisters.’ The friends like Amy, Barb and Caryn who include us in their family get-togethers. The girlfriends like Allison, Judi, Krista and Jody who help me with my business. The long-distance friends like Terri, Patty, Barb, Ann who never feel very far away. My college girlfriends like Kleta, Rhonda and Deana, my work friends like Carole and Sue … all these girlfriends (and more) are sisters to me. Sisters for life.
Sure our paths may go in different directions at various times in our lives but we’re there for each other. Maybe my family is the only one that carries around baggage that could hold a grown woman! Friendships generally don’t come with expectations and guilt. We’re not required to call every Saturday or alert them when we get back in town from a business trip – they know we’re okay and we’re ‘good’ with each other.
How can we be a better friend? Are you friends just friends and family is different? Or, like me, have your friends become your family?
Share and let us know the role that girlfriends play in your life.
And, for more girlfriend inspiration, check out:
- Happiness – What makes you happy?
- Reason Why You’re my Best Friend – Daily Inspiration
- Don’t Compromise Girlfriend – More Daily Inspiration
p.s. And THANKS to my amazing girlfriends for being there for me and for being my sister-friends! I couldn’t get by without you!
p.s.s. And … be a friend to Girlfriendology! Share this blog with your girlfriends by clicking the Facebook LIKE button below and also, when you’re on our Facebook page, SHARE IT WITH YOUR GIRLFRIENDS. (Please?!) Thanks girlfriend!
Tags: Family, female friendship, friends who are family, friendship, girlfriends, sisters
- Share on:
3 Comments
I think you grow up when your friends become your family and your family becomes your friends.
Thanks Barb! Very well said!
I love what Barb said, too! Very mature of you, Barb:) The person I call for everything — to talk about my son’s allergies; to complain; to laugh — is my twin sister. Friends are important, but family is always there.
2 Trackbacks
[...] * Who do you call when you have good or not-so-good news? Friends or Family?Who do you spend time with on a regular basis, celebrate your birthday with, enjoy the anticipation of seeing again SOON? Who gives you the perfect birthday gift? Knows when to talk and when to listen? Lets you cry or makes you laugh? Read more … [...]
[...] Barb is more family than just a friend. Are your friends your family? [...]