On New Year’s Day, my friend Brianne sent an email to our group of friends that expressed her hope that we could have a yearly girls’ trip. We all replied in the affirmative, with possible location ideas that would be fun for late summer. We needed babies to get older, pregnancies to get farther along, jobs to get more secure. The emails slowed down, and the planning was shelved. I figured someone would pick it back up in a month or two.
And then life happened, and we decided that late summer wasn’t soon enough, we needed to be together now. This past weekend we traveled through horrible storms to San Francisco for a weekend dedicated to just us – no husbands or boyfriends or work or babies allowed.
We told lots of stories and tried to recall the days we met each other fifteen years ago. Our stories are loud and hilarious. We finish each other’s sentences. We can still make each other laugh, which is good, because laughter is how we’ve gotten through all that life has thrown our way – and there has been a lot thrown our way.
Spending time with my friends is good for my soul. They know how I’m feeling just by looking at me. I know their secrets, and they know mine. We are a (loud) unstoppable group when we’re together.
I look back at the time we all lived together with so much appreciation. I was so lucky to live with my best friends, to build life-long bonds that have carried me through my worst days. My family and friends are how I measure my life. I would do anything for them, and they have done everything for me.
On Saturday we were all cozy under blankets in our suite at the Clift Hotel, watching a chick flick, eating junk and sipping champagne. I was snug on the couch, with Jackie’s feet in my lap (yep, her feet, I clearly love her a lot). We were all laughing, and I looked around the room at all of my friends. A perfect moment in a perfect weekend.
I wish we could have a million more exactly like this.
LilianCali says:
Sometimes I read your blog and just enjoy your thoughts, however this time, I could so relate to your sentiments. Girlfriends are what has got me through this crazy life of mine, and I don’t know what I would do without them. Girlfriends are the source of validation and empathy that helps us grow and nurture the life we have now. I love this post Heather and I am so happy for you that you have this support system.
Remember, if you ever need to, you can post in our secret Insomnia Group on Facebook.
L. xxxx
Heather says:
Girlfriends are what helped us survive the rough storms. Husbands hold our hand, but it’s not always what we need. It’s nice to have both.
Glad a weekend away helped. I’m lucky to have my BFF living 100 feet from my front door, not sure what I’d do without her.
TonyaM says:
So true. I have a wonderful husband, and we’ve been together 20 years, but I always feel a bit sorry for women who brag about being married to their best friend. My best friend plays a role in my life than no man could. Or would want to. Ha!
Leiah says:
Love Girls’ Weekends. I graduated in 1983 (I know…I’m old!) and my core group of friends & I still get together twice a year. We call them JUGs Weekends – Just Us Girls. We also call ourselves the Red HOT Society because lord knows we are NOT going to wear those red hats. Evuh!
We have two slumber parties a year – either right before Christmas or right after New Years, and then a weekend in the summer at one of the girl’s lake house at Lake LBJ outside of Austin. These people know me – good, bad & ugly- and still love me. So glad you were able to have your weekend and looking forward to hearing about the next one!
Jenn says:
It’s so nice to see you all smiling & enjoying each other’s company. As I looked at your pictures, I found myself recognizing some of your friends & even knowing what some of their children’s names are b/c you have blogged about your friends & the babies (Austin & Jenna, etc) they all had!
My hope for you as the days pass by, is for you to be able to look back to this time with all of your “heart lines” and simply just remember and…SMILE!!
Shannon says:
Oh! I love it for you. What a fabulous time, I hope many wonderful memories were made!
Jessica says:
Looks like you had a great time and what a great reminder that we need to just do it NOW and not put it off until the “later” that could turn from weeks to years.
Anna says:
I was just thinking the same thing! I think about picking up the phone and calling my best friend nearly every day, and she does the same, but it’s so easy to let life get in the way. Good for all of you for making the time and not putting things off.
Melli says:
How fortunate you all are
Lanie says:
Sounds like it was perfect – I am so glad that the weekend worked out. It is so hard to schedule!
I am with you – the difficult times are at times bearable with help from friends. Take care.
Brianne says:
It was the best. Love you. And, thank you!
Nasrene says:
I love weekends like that!!!! I’m glad you had a wonderful time with great ladies.
Skye says:
It makes me so happy that you still get together with your college friends! I don’t see or talk to mine as often as I would like, but we are just as close as ever when we are together. You’ve just prompted me to make sure we get to spend some time together soon.
AmazingGreis says:
Friends make the world go round, so glad that you have so many. So glad that you were able to get away for the weekend with so many of them.
XOXO
Glenda says:
Oh the memories… I’m sure it was a beautiful time.
Best to you and Jackie
xo
Pam Petterle, Dana's Aunt : ) says:
I am so touched by you and your friends, and agree with other comments that girlfriends are priceless and irreplaceable. I have met with and traveled the world with my Ya Ya Sisterhood group for decades. There were six of us to begin with. One passed away from breast cancer; another, the oldest, is now unable to travel anymore; but we still connect through constant group e-mails sometimes several times a week including pictures, jokes tec. On rare occasion, we still get togethers. There is nothing else like it. Sharing our lives with those closest is the best therapy and the strongest bond we shall ever know. So Heather, you are setting the bar high for all of us who have great friends and who also know that today is all we really know we can count on.
Kat says:
There’s a connection with the girls that just can’t be challenged. My friends and I have been waiting for that SAME moment…now that my kids are older some of them are just starting the baby thing and I’m like ‘Come ON you guys!!’. I may be forced to go to Vegas alone and make some ‘new’ friends. So what if I have to pay for them at the bunny ranch!
Jamie says:
Sounds perfect.
C says:
You’re lucky, I don’t have girlfriends like that, at least not that many that all get along together. I really hope one day I will!
Kristan says:
You really are so lucky. These are things I wish for everyday…
Even though my life is very rich – with a wonderful husband and our 1st child on the way – there is a space that aches for best girlfriends like you talk about. Hold onto it as long as you can!
Susie (Neetsie) says:
Heather,
I am so glad you could get together and make each other laugh… I am amazed at this group of friends. I know you are there for each other in good times and rought times.
I am happy for you, my daughter and all of your friends.
Leslie says:
It was a great weekend! Just what we all needed. Lots of laughing, eating, drinking, and just having uninterrupted time together. Thank you for planning it and making it happen. I love you.
Catherine says:
Perfectly said, Heath. I had the most amazing time! Thank you (and Brianne) so much for planning such a fantastic girls weekend. I can’t wait until our next one. Love you so much. XOXO
Paige says:
I love that you all got together! Such fun. We did a reunion two summers ago at the house back at school that Crosby coordinated. It was fun to dig through old greek escapes and scrapbooks. This motivates me to get everyone together again. ITB:) (haven’t written that in a while)