Love is in the air!!! But don't worry I wont be talking about the mushy love but the REAL LOVE that contains tears and joyful moments all together. Throughout the years my girlfriends have been single or in and out of relationships, but we have tried to make it a point to celebrate Valentines during the month of February. Also I started calling it "Galentines" before it started getting trendy. Giggling. Throughout the years what I have really enjoyed are the moments that we have shared with each other from a genuine part of our hearts are the challenges we have faced in life. Why? Our vulnerability with each other has caused a greater bond and we have realized what true friendship looks like.
When we were in elementary school it was all about the girls and boys that we had in our grade and those we "liked". Then high school came around and it was about those we cliqued with and had things in common. I had a wide range of friends because I was involved in ASB as the President all the while being a part of the Tennis team. I remember thinking I will be devastated as I wont see my friends after we go to college. Then my Chapman years came and I met my husband there all the while juggling school and my business fraternity and for a short while my sorority and minoring in Japanese. Sadly because I didn't practice Japanese I cant remember much of it now.
One thing I did notice though that in college my friendships were starting to be more genuine and as friends we started to share from a more sincere place. The conversations were not super deep but definitely the friendships were stronger. As we mature and walk this journey called life we start noticing what matters most to us in our relationships. Life is short so pay attention to those you surround yourself with. Are they toxic, always negative or have a negative outlook on life, do the SUE You as one of my business coach, Kim Somers Egelsee would say.
Support
Uplift
Empower you.
Sadly you start noticing that your circle of friends are smaller than when you were younger. I challenge you to start cleaning up your Chica/Chico Squad and be that AMAZING friend you wish you had. Don't expect friends to be fantastic with you, but when was the last time you visited your girlfriend at her work or hanged out with her without having another place to go. TRUST me I know its not easy, but just start showing up in people lives rather than always expecting them to come to your rescue all the time.
Genuine, heartfelt friendship is when someone knows you better than yourself. Friendship goes beyond just sharing time together, and it is long lasting with conversations filled with soul food and vulnerability. What does friendship mean to you. I leave you with a fun quote from one of my favorite shows, Sex and the City: “Maybe we can be each other's soul mates. And then we can let men be just these great, nice guys to have fun with.”
I hope you had a very happy Galentines Day!
