Christmas is a time for giving and receiving. The best gift I ever received wasn’t wrapped but has given me so much joy, love, great times, gotten me through some of the toughest times in my life and is one of the best cheer squads anyone could ask for. This gift comes in the form of four of the most wonderful girls I have ever come across in my life – my Girlfriends,  or, as I like to call them, my chosen family, my sisters from another mister.

In an episode of “Sex And the City”, after Aidan breaks up with Carrie at Charlotte’s wedding, Carrie says, “It’s hard to find people who would love you no matter what. I was lucky enough to find three of them.”

I cry every time I hear that line because I, like Carrie, have been lucky enough to find “four of them”. Four girlfriends who love me no matter what – even when I piss them off; when our opinions differ; and even when I move to the other side of the world.

I have lived away from my girls for 11 years now. You’d think at this stage I would feel less connected to them but this couldn’t be further from the truth. As the months and years go by my love for them gets even stronger and they become even more important in my life. They are the first people I want to call when I have the best news ever and are also the first ones I turn to when things aren’t so great.

Thanks to Facebook messenger we are in contact daily. We talk about everything and anything (I really hope no-one else gets their hands on these conversations!). In one conversation we could have gone from talking about a work frustration, to cracking each other up over the smallest of things, to discussing our fears and planning new adventures.

I have always struggled to understand when people say they grew apart from their girlfriends when partners and kids came into the equation. I don’t get it. Why would you want to give up something that enriches your life like nothing else can? Why wouldn’t you want your partner and/or kids having these phenomenal women in their lives too?

Why would you give up people who make you feel strong, have your back, push you out of your comfort zone; are there for you no matter what (even if the decision you make isn’t one they would necessarily make, they are in your corner and will even get in that ring for you if needed); call you out when need be (harsh truths aren’t always easy to hear but are just as important as the celebrations and the compliments); go on magnificent adventures with you; make you laugh so hard that you’re in pain and have tears streaming down your face? Why would you give up people who are good for your soul? Why would you give up people who make you a better person? Who make your world a better place to be in? I know I wouldn’t want to.

One of the lines that I have always loved in Moulin Rouge is “The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is to love and be loved in return.” I agree. There is nothing like the love of, and for, a girlfriend. Anyone who has an amazing girlfriend in their lives is truly blessed.

I have “four of them”. I miss my girls like crazy but am so thankful that I have them in my life and I know that no matter how far apart we are or how our lives may change, their friendship is something that never will and we still have many adventures ahead of us.

Love you like crazy Dan, H, Mel and Nance!
xo