Soul Therapy 101 - Why I Love My Friends

To be honest with you, I sat and pondered over the title today. A crafty title might get more attention but I decided to keep it short, sweet and to the point.

To sum it up, I love my friends.

Last night, I sat with my daughter, Maddie, and we had the best time. During my spring cleaning spree (or my attempt at one, at least) I found my old yearbooks from high school.

So, as we sat by the fire, all cozy on the couch doing one of my favorite things - going down Memory Lane - we took a look at pictures of my friends from four years at Rumson Fair Haven R.H.S. back in the 80's. The best part  - well, there were many best parts - was being able to share with my daughter one very important lesson - the value of friendships.

To me, high school was a wonderful time on my life. Thankfully, I learned at a very young age (from my mom who still sees her high school posse once a month!) how important it is to not only have friends, but to be one. And, by looking at those pics last night, I think I did an okay job accomplishing both tasks. From bad 80's over-sprayed Aquanet hairdo's to our M.C. Hammer lookin' Forenza parachute pants, we thought we had the world at our finger tips.

And for a while, we did.

What a fun time in my life that was.

As a woman in her 40's (when did that happen?), as I get older, I realize how much "soul-therapy" accompanied these relationships. From break-ups, to late night gab sessions, and as the years progressed, to wiping tears, sharing fears, worrying about our kids to and (the ultimate discovery!) talking about our favorite wrinkle creams.

Little did I know how right on Carly Simon truly is when she sings, "These (really are) the good 'ole days."

I can honestly tell you from the bottom of my heart, I don't know where I would be right now in my life without those women or as I affectionately call them, "my girls."

My girls held my hand when I became a single mom for the first time. They showed up at my doorstep (with a six pack, a box of cookies and hugs) when I was paralyzed with sadness at the sudden death of a favorite aunt. Then, when things started to get better, they were the first to laugh at me during our late night pizza parties where we would hang in kitchen and I would inevitably and infamously dance to the music of Usher thinking I was a really good dancer (when, in reality, we all  knew that I wasn't).

My girls took long walks with me in the morning with double strollers in tow when we were dealing with crabby toddlers, strep throats, runny noses, and an absolute thirst for some adult conversation. With my "Nabes" (aka neighbors) right next door, we used to have the best backyard - late afternoon talks while our kids played "fence" throwing the ball back and forth. But nothing topped our late night chocolate chip cookie exchanges in our pj's while we giggled with the paper plate being placed (like it was from Santa Clause) on the front door step.  I didn't have just neighbors next door, I had family.

Finally, I am so grateful to my girls for our early morning "therapy" sessions at the local breakfast place. In on hour, we are able to keep each other emotionally and mentally in check with bursts of laughter and the occasional tear or two.

Who would have thought all of our problems could be solved over two scrambled eggs, sausage and a steaming cup of coffee? But they are.

When I take inventory as to how unbelievably blessed I am to have such incredible friendships, I know one thing for sure - I love my friends.

For today, think about those special people in your life and how lucky you are to have them. Know that these friendships have provided a depth to your life that nothing else can bring. Reach out and let them know the importance they have in your life. Make a phone call, send an email or better yet, go see them in person!

From my Mountain Park grammar school buddies who were the best friends a little girl could have, to my RFH forever friends and University of Delaware "party" accomplices, to those family members (sis, sis-in-law, mom, niece, cousin, and my daughter) whom I can affectionately call my soul buddies, to my-grown up girls who make a difference in my personal and professional life everyday - thank you.

You have enriched my mind, heart and soul.

No matter where my life takes me, you will always be home to me. For that, I am and will always be, one lucky girl with great friends.

Patti