Find Your Girl Tribe- Love Them Hard

Growing up I went through different phases of different girl friend groups and it took me a while and a lot of hard-learned lessons before I found my tribe. And boy were they worth the wait! 

I am so thankful for the girls who came into my life, decided they wanted to stay, and have never left my side.

When I was younger, much sassier, with much less self-confidence and much more self doubt, and didn’t really understand that not everyone has the same heart as me- I would get my heart broken over and over. I held my expectations for friendship very high, and would become disappointed. I didn’t think very highly of myself, so I was constantly looking down on others. 

I could look back with regrets, but instead I look back with lessons learned in how you treat people, a belief that I deserve love and am worthy, less judgement of others for simply being who they are, more patience with the people in my life, and a heart that loves to love on people instead of just expecting them to love me the same.

Long story short, it wasn’t until college that I found the best girlfriends I could have ever asked for in addition to my big sister that I had since day one. God was like, “Girl, here is your tribe, let’s go!” Much like if I had met my hubby earlier I wouldn’t have been ready to appreciate him for all he is- the same goes for my gal pals too. 

It was by coincidence (AKA God’s sweet, perfect timing) that I met two of my best friends at college cheer tryouts our senior years of high school. I remember being drawn to them because they just seemed so cool. I thought no way would I ever be cool enough for them to want to be friends with me. 

Well, I guess I was cooler than I thought. One of the best gifts all of my bestie girls have given me was a self-confidence that I didn’t know I could have.

College started and I actually got lucky enough to be randomly-paired roommates with one of those awesome girls. I will forever be grateful to the WC housing department for forcing one of the best friendships to happen. The three of us that met at cheer tryouts became inseparable.

One night the three of us were introduced to another chick we thought was pretty cool, but she was unsure of us because we were cheerleaders. We made her join our tribe anyways. She eventually thanked us for that one 😉 These four ladies are my SATC gals, and they are so important to me.

The four of us pledged into the same sorority and then I had a line and a whole sisterhood worth of girls by my side that just loved me, accepted me, and wanted to be my friend. 16 year old me would have cried so hard if I had known the blessings that these friendships would bring. Forever grateful for DOT.

In that sisterhood, I grew especially close with some of the older girls that inspired me and that I still look up to. They are some of the best people I know.

And even closer with some younger girls that inspire me too. Two in particular who stood by my side on my wedding day, who I’ve had more heart to hearts, crazy times, pictures and fun memories with than I can count. Two of the sweetest people with the best hearts. 

I have been blessed to find a girl tribe that in my opinion is just the coolest.

Every single lady I call a close friend these days is beautiful inside and out, has an amazing heart, doesn’t take crap from anyone, and has a strong faith in God. I am incredibly blessed to have friends like this. I pray for you ladies all the time!

You have been here through different stages of my life- watched me grow, cheered me on, picked me up, and pushed me forward to be better. Sometimes it can be hard for friends to all be in different stages and phases, but I love that we are all here to cheer each other on, no matter what!

Thank you for the encouraging texts, love, prayers, and support through every up and down.

Thank you for loving me through my attitudes, my sass, my complaining, my self doubt, and my hot mess self…and thank you for calling me out on it.

Thank you for helping me pick out clothes, break up with boys, and drink just one more.

Thank you for the nights we danced into mornings ‘til the birds started chirping.

Thank you for the car karaoke sessions jamming out to all the best songs! “Alexa play ‘Miss Movin’ On’ and ‘Look but Don’t Touch“

Thank you for the bedroom floor chats where we would just sit and solve all the problems of the world.

Thank you for every late night food run, and the news report guest star appearances.

Thank you for standing by my side and being in the seats watching and crying as I married the love of my life. Thanks for approving of him too…Obviously your opinions were pretty important since you watched me go through some of my biggest heartaches.

Bridesmaids- Thank you for being patient with me as I navigated the Bride life and trying to keep it all organized and together…I swear no one is a perfect bride, but you were patient with me when I was figuring it all out. Our day would not have been the same without you sweet souls.

Thank you for your pep talks, your guidance, and your words of wisdom.

Thank you for supporting every dream I chase- BBB and the Blog…it means so much to know you have friends in your corner rooting for you, even if other people don’t quite understand.

Thank you for accepting my smothering texts of love you’s and miss you’s as just me being me, even when it’s a little dramatic and over the top.

Thank you for being patient with my chronically late self…that’s one thing you can always count on. 😉

Thank you for the tough love when I don’t want to hear things, and for the patience and understanding when I need that too.

Thank you for knowing me and the inevitable question of, ‘so what’s new, what’s the hot gossip’ because I genuinely want to know allll the updates of your life.

Thank you for helping me learn to love myself. Thank you for seeing through my insecurities and self doubt. Thank you for being my hype girls.

Thank you for always being here for me, arms wide open.

Thank you for loving me fully and wholeheartedly for exactly who I am.

Over the college years, my tribe grew. What started out as just my sister turned into my tribe of bridesmaids and so many other strong women that I am proud to say I still have in my life! 

I will never take these girl friendships for granted, because I remember a time when I didn’t have them. 

If you are young and feel like you have not quite found your girl tribe, or feel like you are out of place in the friends you have- Take heart in this: You will find your place, you will learn to love yourself, and you will find people that will love you for you and help you grow even more.

Thank you to my Girl Tribe… I love ya so hard!

All the love,

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