Sister, Sister

I've always been "that girl." You know the one, the one that says, "I just don't like girls." Girls are catty and competitive, and there is no real alternative to the male creed "bros before hoes," because a "ho" will drop her friends for her bf in a hot minute. Don't get me wrong, I'm no exception. But it is what it is: for years I've found myself happily in the company of many boys and few girls. The psychologist in me says that I have a drive to fill the brother void in my life; the realist in me says I like the little sister attention.

These days, I feel different. I guess it has a lot to do with growing up-- 4 out of 5 of my guy friends are in serious relationships, and there's a line. No matter who you are, how close you are, there is a girlfriend line. And most of "my" boys have flown our little singles' coop. Eventually they'll be someone's husbands, and--duh-- I can't be best friends with someone's husband.

So here I am, in transition. And, frankly, I love it. I have never been so thrilled to have girlfriends. Honestly, I've never had girlfriends.

I spent this weekend with my sorority sisters. Most of them were roommates in college, so I was a little anxious to jump into their established group. But... oh. my. gosh. We had the best time. I loved girl talk: loved it. Most of us are single, so it was refreshing to just BE; no one had to check in with their boyfriends at the end of the night, no one used the word 'we' in reference to their other half. We giggled, we flirted with strangers (don't freak, aunts and uncles, there's strength in numbers), and I've rarely-- or never-- been so happy to be a single twenty-something out on the town with my girlfriends.

Tonight I had dinner with another girl friend, who like me has always "hated girls." We talked about the struggles of being single girls in peer group of couples, we talked about prayer lives and plans for the future. And if we wanted to, we could've talked about PMS and our favorite lip gloss. We didn't, but it's just nice to be in this "girl world."

Last week, I went to see Cabaret with Alice. After dinner, we went to Waffle House and talked for hours. Sure, Waffle House isn't exactly chic, but I loved the feeling of holding a hot cup of coffee in both hands and just gushing over the table about love and love lost, being in each other's weddings some day, and girls' weekends that are bound to happen. For a season, I thought I'd lose my would-be sister-in-law, but that's just silly to think about. Alice has been one of my girlfriends since before I believed in girlfriends.

Outside of my number one gal pal (hi, Mom), I talk to Erica and Anna more than anyone else in this world. Honestly, I bet I haven't gone a day without either of them in almost a year. I always hear myself say things like, "One of my best friends, Erica..." because we're just a trio, that's all there is to it. It's one of the most complex, incredible friendships I've ever had. Our relationships with each other are totally different: Erica and I are sarcastic and cynical, Anna and I are planners and all about our feelings. I know they would do anything for me, mainly because they have. They have absolutely seen me at my worst, and they've struggled with me and cried with me. After my high school sisterhood with Lauren, I never thought I'd have another female best friend... and for years, I didn't... but now I have two, and it's insane. And perfect.

So right now, I'm really into girls' nights, chick flicks, and weekend retreats. I'm sure eventually I'll be into double dates and vacationing with other married couples, but right now... I'm not. And I love it.