The Importance Of Friendship
Friendship is something that is extremely important in our household. There is this age old saying, "It is better to have one good friend, than five bad ones." I've always loved that saying because it's completely accurate. My friend, Jerreau, even named one of his singles Less Is More some years back with this in mind. When it comes to dating and friendships, you should always look for quality over quantity. For me, however, I've actually been blessed with many great female friends which is not really the norm amongst women. For some sad reason, most females I encounter usually have about 1-3 really good friends; friends they can actually depend on. That isn't my reality and I can honestly say I have many amazing friends that I can depend on.
I have so many different layers of friendships. Some people I talk to everyday, some once a month. I have friends from childhood and ones from school and beyond. When most people hear that I have 13 bridesmaids they think I'm crazy. I consider myself very lucky to be able to call on 13 females from my life and know for sure that they would be there for me in anyway I need them. I actually have really valuable and important friends that aren't bridesmaids and they would be, but the number just started to get a little too big.
My daughter has my personality. We are extreme lovers and very open people. Over time I've realized how to truly read someone instantly be able to determine if we can coexist in one another's space. Amirah is going to have to learn that skill as well. She will get her heart broken in the process, but hopefully she picks up on that skill sooner than later. As a six year old sometimes your friends are kids of your parents friends. The unfortunate part comes when you realize you don't actually have anything in common and your parents are friends and not the two of you. For Amirah and Kyla however, they have had an instant bond and connection since birth. Kyla's mother, Tiffany, and I have known one another ever since we were three years old. Her grandmother was my first dance teacher and my older brother dated her aunt. So over the years, we've been able to maintain a friendship. We even went to the same high school and college. We got pregnant around the same time and had our children five days apart (this was totally unplanned by the way).
When we moved I was worried about Kyla and Amirah. They cried so hard the day before we left and I felt like such a jerk taking them away from each other. Tiffany has been amazing with keeping them connected. They sit on FaceTime for hours playing dolls and talking as if they are 25 year old women. We knew we had to let them be together for their birthdays so Tiffany flew out to Orange and the girls had the time of their life. We took them to Disney, the beach and they just stayed in the apartment hanging out by the pool (Note to self: next time just save money and let them play amongst themselves).
What I know for sure is that friendship and life are what you invest into it. You have to start with two willing able bodies who share the same mutual respect and desire to build. No matter where you live, what happens in your life or theirs, the bond will always be there because you are truly friends. I've learned that being able to have healthy relationships with other females has made me a better person and spouse. I hope that Amirah continues to grow, love and be true to herself and her friends. I have no doubt that Kyla and Amirah will grow into two old women and sit on a porch and smile about the beautiful lives that they both with live.
-@AshleySirah