It’s 1 week to Thanksgiving- which happens to be my favorite holiday. We don’t have a set ritual for Turkey Day. I loathe to cook, so we basically go any where we’re invited because any meal is going to be better than what I cook!  As long as we’re surrounded by family, friends and good food, my family is a happy one. Throw in a little football and really, who could ask for more?

Since there is only a week left, I thought I’d spend the next week sharing some of the things, big & small, that I’m thankful for in my life.  This week I’m starting with my friends.

They say if you can count your true friends on one hand- the kind of friends you can call at 3 am to bail you out of jail- you’re blessed.  And I am.  I have a core group of girlfriends that I’ve had since elementary school. 9 women who have known me and loved me through all my bad perms, pin-rolled jeans, tween drama, teen aged angst, boyfriends, college decision, many moves, getting married and having kids. These women know me inside and out and there is nothing- nothing- that I can’t talk to them about. We’ve celebrated each other triumphs, toasted at each others weddings,  hooted and hollered over pregnancy announcements, cried over miscarriages and then cried happy tears when the next generation of CF kids were born.  I’m lucky if I see some of them once a year- one I haven’t seen in almost 3- but when we talk or see each other it’s like no time at all has passed.

Kristen, Hillory, Lora, Marlana, Tanya, Jenn, Kristi, Erica and Beth- thank you for everything. I can’t imagine the past 23 years without you all.

These ladies have made it damn hard to make new friends as an adult because the bar has been set so high.  But some how I’ve managed to make two friends who have joined that elite call-at-3-am club (lucky them, right?). We are raising our kids together- navigating the craziness that is infancy, toddler years and now school aged kids.  Wonderful, compassionate women who I can call when I need a break or a laugh or a word of a advice who won’t judge or make fun.

Sue & Abbey- here’s to many more girls night outs, Halloween traditions and crazy kids play dates.

What are you thankful for today?