on the importance of girlfriends

I never understood/ can never understand the women who say that most of their friends are men. I mean, don't get me wrong, I really do enjoy men (most of the time). I've dated a lot of them, befriended quite a few of them, and spent many late nights pondering their perception of the world, reactions to difficult situations and they way they address life - all so very, very different from women. But those intrinsic differences are the primary reason why I think girlfriends are important. I love to surround myself with beautiful, strong women who can provide me perspective on everything from the latest boy drama, to my career path, to my choice of shoes for a Friday night happy hour. My guy friends are great. I like to use them to gain specific insight into anything male that I don't quite understand. My male friends ask me the questions that can occasionally push my limits and I think they use me more to quell their curiosity on all things female than I ever use them to understand my situation. But it's my female friends that are my role models, my confidantes and my soul mates. My girlfriends are the one's who tell me I'm beautiful and I believe them because I know they don't have an ulterior motive; they take me away from my life when a boy breaks my heart (escaping the country if that's what it takes); they'll go to the coffee shop with me to people watch and be just as snarky as I am; they'll listen to me ramble on and on about the same old story when I'm not yet strong enough to make a decision; and they'll bare their souls to me in the same way I bare mine both of us opening ourselves up to the vulnerability that only two women friends can share. Thank goodness for girlfriends!

This weekend is a "girls weekend". I'm headed to the Oregon coast with a dear friend of mine and some new girl friends as well. I expect time to be consumed with girl talk, girly movies, wine and beach-time.