Wednesday, March 19, 2008

the importance of girlfriends

Today we were at Dave's office. We delivered a bbq lunch to him since he had a day full of teleconferences. Grace thought it was awesome to visit Daddy in the middle of the day. Dave sent Grace on a little mission to the office of a friend named Donna. Donna is known to have the candy stash so Dave sent Grace after a little treat. Nothing like a little girl with pigtails showing up in your office to beg.

Dave and I ended up following Grace to eavesdrop. We hung out with Donna for a few minutes and I asked what trips she had in the works. Donna is so cool because she travels for pleasure several times a year. She's single and I like to live vicariously through her. She's talking about three dream trips (You know, a Mediterranean cruise, a trip to Mexico, and a quick jaunt to Northern California) so Dave asks if her boyfriend is going on any of these. Turns out that they are all girlfriend trips. Dave looks perplexed. Donna and I exchange glances and laugh. Dave wanted to know why an all girlfriend trip is such a popular thing. Donna and I laugh again. She says that she prefers to travel with her friends.

Now if you've been off with a set of girlfriends it is almost guaranteed that you can relax and have a few laughs while shopping or just doing nothing. Girlfriends don't mind going to an art gallery. They don't mind just sitting on a bench and talking. Discussions are long and intense...the kind that most men abhor. No hurry, no deadline other than the occasional movie or dinner reservation. After living in Georgia for five years I am beginning to develop some new girlfriend friendships to enjoy. I've got friends all over the country I enjoy already from military days, work, and motherhood. Our little conversation with Donna reminded me today that I need to keep investing in those relationships, both near and far. One day this chaos will quieten down a bit and I hope to have lots of friends with whom I've laughed with along the way.

3 comments:

Claudia said...

Thanks for the reminder about building friendships, and that it takes time and effort. I've been feeling a little sorry for my lonely self - and I needed a reminder that it takes some time to build those great friendships that I left behind in DC...

Ann said...

That's one of the hardest parts of moving for me. Just as I develop a friend who I love spending time with we move. I can't complain right now since we have been here five years this summer. It does indeed take time though. I know you enjoy catching up with them via email...but sometimes the person who moved away has to be the one who initiates those conversations. I'd give anything to live next door to you and Joshua!

Claudia said...

We would love to be near you guys! The house across the street is about to go up for sale... :-)