As I lay in bed last night, I marveled at the spirit of women. It is remarkable to me how women from all different places in life with very different life paths, can come together to laugh, to empathize and to rally around one another.
Last night myself, Nik, Tricia and Wendy had dinner on a patio. It was perfect. And yet, we all brought such differences to the table. It is that spirit that unites amazing women, women who are going in the same direction and women who rise to the occasion each day.
Clearly Wendy is going through the most in terms of life changes but yet we could all relate to various aspects of joy and pain from all of our lives. We laughed about just how we have gotten to this place in our lives. We laughed at what brought us together at that place at that time. We marveled at how much love and joy and pain women endure the second they become mothers and how strange it is that we can speak to that instant of motherhood but cannot expect any one who is not to understand.
We reflected on relationships that have made us who we are. Some laughed about old flames (I don't have any! lol!). We laughed about our real experiences with our babies and our parents.
Brent and I have been together a long time. We are very real with one another and keep each other in check. Wendy mentioned how she admired that about us. In fact, she said that Tricia, Nik and myself all had relationships like that with our husbands. Perhaps that is what women bring to marriages. The same qualities that we teach and learn from our girlfriends.
The most important is being real - to yourself, to your gal pals and if you are fortunate enough to have a great man, to your marriage. But right up there though is striving to be better than you were yesterday because that is the key to all successful relationship in life (according to this momma anyway). Surround yourself with people who rise to be better every day, it is infectious and it is impossible not to inspire you.
Ironically the things that Wendy admires in my marriage are the same qualities her and I share in a friendship. Women are amazing and I am so grateful to have such beautiful women in my life.
Wendy and I walked to our cars together. When she got to hers, she looked at me and said the night to her was so fantastic that she didn't even realize we were surrounded by people. It was as though we were encapsulated. I loved that image. And I agreed with her.
Cheers to all of the women who rise up each day! Welcome home Miss Wendy.
PS - Safe travels Gompfs!
What a fabulous post!
Posted by: Julie | July 09, 2009 at 02:11 PM
Cheers to that, Brandi!
Posted by: Krista | July 09, 2009 at 02:42 PM
Love the post!
Cheers
Posted by: Kim | July 09, 2009 at 03:54 PM
That truly was a wonderful evening full of goodness. Thanks for having me be a part of it!
Posted by: Nik | July 10, 2009 at 08:10 PM