"Men need women, and women need each other."
As young girls we learn the prestige of being named a "best friend." We learn that its a coveted and honored title and not to be taken lightly. And in my 29 years of life I have come to a deeper understanding of what it means to be a best friend and the blessing of having best friends.
The title "best friend" ,to me, means that at some point, you have accepted one another for who you are. Flaws, hangups, imperfections and all. There is a commonality that bonds you tighter than just a friend. That you are able to see past all of the mess to see the person underneath. The person that is going through life the only way they know how. Being a best friend means that you care for their well being and root them on no matter their position. That you listen to them, because sometimes, that's all you can do. That you pick up the phone when they call. That you make time for them. That you can count on their honest opinion. That there is a shoulder to cry on. That they know your heart even when you say the most atrocious thing.
The beauty of best friends is that they are probably with you as you grow and change and are probably running the race right beside you. They are your playground buddy, your cafeteria table mate, your pompom sideline partner, your hot off the press drivers license passenger, your sleepover go-to, your late night landline phone call, your first college roommate, your heartbreak eyewitness, your fill in boyfriend, your shopping enabler, your designated driver, your last call reminder, your dance party double, your fashion guru, your bridesmaid, your first real coworker, your emergency contact, your baby shower hostess, your hospital visitor, your last minute babysitter, your beach chair sidekick, your morning/afternoon/late night rendezvous, your vault of secrets, your stand-in when you've lost the strength to pray, your belly-laugh-till-you-cry instigator, your cranked up to 20 Taylor Swift soprano harmony, your interpreter, your second opinion, your therapist, your emergency last ditch effort parachute, your outside perspective, your backup, your cover up, your no questions asked best friend.
Here's to all my besties who have been with me and beside me and who have helped me accept and love myself for who I am at one point or another. I couldn't have done it as gracefully without you.
