The Beauty of Female Friendships. . .

"A sister is a gift to the heart, a friend to the spirit, a golden thread to the meaning of life."
- Isadora James

A few years back, I remember hearing a woman speak about relationships. At this point in my life, I was pretty much anti-female. I don't remember if I was dating at the time, but I do know that all of my friends were males. It was awesome--honestly. I can't say that I have an altered opinion because I still value my male relationship but after hearing this woman speak, I learned to value the women in my life as well. It also prepared me for the women that were going to come.

The speaker that changed my opinion on female influence, talked a lot about the hurts that women face in relationships. She talked about the mistake women make and how men have their faults and so on and so forth. The part that was most interesting to me was that she made the argument that "Female relationship, not only were good for your romantic relationships with men, but also for your overall well-being."

This was hard for me to comprehend because I had been hurt by so many women, I couldn't imagine being that close to a woman that would not only not hurt me and on top of that. . .ADD SOMETHING? I thought to myself, "Women are so dramatic and catty. I just fit in better with guys, so how can a woman add that much to my life?"

I mean seriously. They can be terrible. They talk about people. They have attitudes. They are focused on dumb stuff, like clothes and shoes. Guys are just so MUCH easier to get along with, which I must say that I still feel is very true, but then it hit me. I'm a woman.

It seems silly to think that I'd actually have to stop and think about that but it was something that didn't fit with the equation. Something that was so important, it changed the way that I had to view my relationships. If I am a woman, and I think we are so terrible, why would anyone want to be friends with me? Why would a guy want to be friends (unless he was trying to holla), unless women were in fact, not that bad.

In the same thought, I have to acknowledge that I'm awesome; but even more relevant is that there are other awesome women like me.

The beauty of female friendships is that a good female friend can relate to you on levels a man can never understand. A good female friend will cry with you and then go with you to get ice cream and brownies to cheer you up. A good female friend will tell you her experiences to help shield you from ever having to experience the same things. A female friend nows what it means, when you say "Its just one of those days," and she will build you up before she ever tears you down. A good female friend will communicate with you through telepathy in groups with other people.

On top of that, there is always the benefit of the infamous clothes swap when you have to re-do an outfit that isn't going so right.

I think that its important for women to have a close circle of female friends that will surround them in their times of joy, sadness, and weakness. I'm proud to say that I have those women in my life and they mean the world to me.

Thank you all for sticking with me in most stubborn moments, for loving me when I thought I was unlovable, and for always, Always being there for me. I love you guys and you know that you are more than friends, You're my sisters :)