My People

I recently spent the weekend in Portland with my favorite girlfriends. I came home from the trip feeling completely rejuvenated. Not on a physical level, but on a soul level. We ate, and danced, and laughed, and cried. We reminisced and also talked about the future. We related in the challenges and beauty of marriage and motherhood. And we overwhelmingly agreed how needed this time together was. 

As a mom, I often find it hard to justify something as indulgent as a weekend away. Between the hassle and the guilt of leaving, it's strangely easier to find my flow in the daily grind. What I hope to carry with me is just how good I feel. I want to remember that even though I resisted at times, saying yes was the right decision. Sometimes you don't realize what you've been missing until you come in contact with it. 

Between the six of us, we have ten children and six wonderful husbands. We live in four different cities and some of our friendships go as far back as middle school. We have experienced moves and miscarriages. Infertility and sobriety. We have gone through health scares and extended family drama. We are a commercial real estate agent, a psychologist, a small business owner, a teacher, a marketing manager, and a therapist. Throughout the years, we have been closer than ever at some points and more distant at others. But in this last coming together, we were at our best. 

And in hindsight it's all making sense. 

In all our years of sneaking out of windows, of petty arguments over shampoo, and big arguments over individual differences, break ups, and broken hearts....we were establishing our reserves. We were building an empire. One that was rooted in trust and deep love. And now, twenty some years later, we are cashing in on our lifelong investment. 

I was struck by our ability to quickly drop in to what was real and what was important. We intuitively knew what each other needed. We loved one another, and held space, and quickly let go of what was unessential. I think for the first time we really saw one another as the strong and beautiful women that we are. 

I wear many hats. Wife, mother, woman, yoga teacher, therapist. But maybe one of the most important hats that I'll ever wear is that of a friend. I have worked hard and invested in these beautiful friendships. It's time to cash in on the reserves and enjoy everything that has been cultivated throughout the years. 

So, here's to our tribes. May we continue invest in them so that they may last us a lifetime.