I know I write about friendship a lot but, man, they’re so important in life. My earliest memories involve friends. My best friend growing up was named, Erin. She and I did so much together. I confided in her, laughed with her, cried with her, fought with her. We did it all and that relationship taught me a lot about life. Today, my best friend is my husband. I share my life with him. We’re two halves of one whole and I’m so grateful that I get to do life with him.
I think friendship, of the same gender and around the same age and stage of life is important. Friendships with the same gender and further ahead in life is important. Friendships with the same gender and younger are important.
Finding people in a similar stage of life allows you to bounce ideas off of one another and be able to talk about the hardships you may share in hopes of finding solutions. You get to build a network of people edifying one another knowing the sensitive areas that may be present. You have people who are willing to call you to more or give you a shoulder to lean on and support you on your way to normal.
Having friends that are older will be able to teach and encourage you in what you may be dealing with. They’ll have the wisdom of life. Listen to them. Ask them questions. Be open to suggestions.
Being an elder to someone is a great opportunity to pour your own wisdom into the next generation. You can share your experiences and build them up. You get to get to know them and be a listening ear to the struggles they have.
In every stage of life, friendship is important and I would say it’s even necessary.
I heard a woman say something like, if you want a village you have to be willing to be a villager. Meaning, if you want to build friendships that are deep and lasting you have to be willing to go out of your way. You have to be willing to put yourself out there. You have to be willing to feel all of the emotions that come with friendship and keep showing up.
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The Millennial Mom 
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