I am obviously writing this from my stage in life as a stay-at-home-mom, but I believe that these same types of friends transfer to whatever stage women find themselves in...just use the opposite "name or title" depending upon what stage you are in.
1. The "You've Been There Since Wayyyyyyy Back" Friend:
This is your homegirl. She knew you in middle school when your favorite food was meat lover's pizza and now that you're 30-something she still eats out with you even though you're a vegan. She was there when your heart was first broken. She was at your dance recitals, your school plays, and your track meets. Your parents love her and know her well. You double-dated to prom. She was in your wedding. You were in hers. She was one of the first people you called when you found out you were pregnant. She was one of the first people you called when you found out your dad had a terminal illness. She's your go-to-girl...your very best friend...the girl that you loved as a child and the woman and mom you have grown to admire.
2. The "Single" Friend:
This is your friend whose lifestage is completely different from yours. She doesn't have a husband (or a man), she doesn't have children, she jet-sets off to Paris, Italy, and Cabo at the drop of a hat. She has amazing stories about impacting the lives of other people. She is active in her church and the community. She picks your brain about marriage and raising a family. You pray with her for contentment. She shows you the latest trends. She loves your kids and becomes their "Auntie."
3. The "Couple Friend":
This is a love relationship between you, your friend, her husband, your husband, and y'alls kids. You can get together at the spur of the moment and it's ok if you have your crew in tow. Your kids ask to have playdates, and the parents are secretly planning to have an arranged marriage to keep the families together. This is a couple with whom you would willingly go on vacation. This couple will be in your life forever, well, I guess until the children actually do date and break each other's hearts.
4. The "Younger Woman/Older Woman" Friend:
This is the friendship with the younger woman that you mentor. She looks up to you. Your kids love her like a big sister. She shares prayer requests with you. The older woman is a woman that you admire. She's your mentor. She always offers you words of encouragement and challenges you to be better. You look up to her.
5. The "SAHM" Friend:
This friend is in the same life stage as you. She has kids that are around the same age as yours. You call her or text her (all the time) and ask about anything from the color of your son's poop to borrowing a cup of milk (because it's 6AM and there is not a drop of milk in your house!) She is in the trenches with you. She encourages you. She does not judge you when you discipline your child. She has seen you at your worst with bananas in your hair and spit up on your jeans. And, let's face it, she's probably never seen you at your best because that's a different friend! Your husbands don't know each other, but you're totally ok with that because the relationship is not about them...it's about you. It's about having someone in the same stage to empathize and to lean on when times are amazing and when they are less than amazing. You need her.
These are definitely the types of friends that I know that I need. What about you? Who would add or take away from on this list?
Carmen: You are so right about the incredible different friends we have that somehow God uses to make life dynamic and rich. I loved this!
ReplyDeleteoh so agree with these. I'd only add the "Friend who is in the same stage as you but you live far away so your kids can't play together and you can't borrow butter from each other, though you wish you could...so you are trying to figure out how you can move to the same city" friend. This friend has a double name, and she loves to text you and hehe...well, I think you know it's ME!!!!!!!!! Love you and this post
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