My best friend, Diane, has been a part of my life for thirty years now and I treasure our friendship. She has seen me thru the good, the bad, and the ugly. She accepts me with my many, many faults and loves me just the same. I do the same for her. There is nothing I wouldn’t do for her. She is my dearest friend and I count her as one of my greatest blessings!

My mom. While there are lots of things I only talk to girlfriends about it’s my mom that has always kept me grounded, believed in me and told me straight up when I was being an idiot. When I was a teenager she was the person I wanted to be least like and now that I’m an adult I’m proud when someone says “You are so much like your mother.” I know I can count on her, even when I’m being ridiculous. I love having time alone with her but it doesn’t happen often enough lately.

It would have to be my dearest friend Carol.She always makes me laugh. We share so many things and know each other in so many ways that I feel like she is the closest I have to a sister.We have been there for each other in our darkest hours and look forward to fun always around the corner.In our busy lives and with time passing so fast these days…we have 60 second calls that are hilarious, that string together for days sometimes! I just love her!

I have a friend who is always there, even when I don’t know I need her. We have been best friends for about 45 years. We now live in different states, but she always knows when I need a phone call to bring a smile to my face. We seem to know what each other is thinking before we even talk.

Of course it’s my “best friend” Cindy! That’s why we call them our best friends – because they are the best at everything we need: a laugh, a hug, a shoulder to cry on. Cindy has been there for me for over 22 years and I hope our connection never ends.

I actually think it was Sherra who thought up this question – wasn’t it!?

I spent a good part of yesterday pondering this question – thinking over all the wonderful women I have had touch my life at various times. It was hard to pick just one.

But since Sherra said I had to choose just one that friend would be Deb.

Deb and I met 15 years ago when we served on a committee together for the direct sales company we are both part of. We live across the country from each other and only see each other 1-2 times a year but I can indeed call Deb my “kindred spirit”.

We understand each other, we love each other and we have such fun together! Even though we don’t see each other often we talk on a regular basis – calling each other just to check in and chat.

She is my favorite person to hang out with – especially at the beach. She loves to shop, read, garden, cook and eat – just like me!

I know that if I ever needed her – she would be there for me, even if it meant jumping on a plane and traveling cross country! To me that is one of the true measures of a real friend – someone who would be there for you no matter what. I love you girl!

WOW that truly is a hard question when we all have so many wonderful women that touch and bless our lives! At this point in my life I would have to say my mom-in-law Fran. She lives just a few minutes away from me. She is the one I can always call for any reason, whether to laugh or cry, whether I just want to talk, or whether I need help. I could call her in the middle of the night and she would be there for me. (Actually, that’s an interesting question to ask yourself… how many of your friends could you call in the middle of the night, and how many do you think would feel comfortable calling YOU in the middle of the night? That’s one way to measure a true friend!) I really don’t know how I would make it without Fran in my life!

Rachel,

That’s a great question. It’s a little easier to answer the first – who would I call. The second, who would feel comfortable calling me is a little harder. Hhmmm…..You are lucky to have such a great mom-in-law! I am sure you are an awesome daughter in law too!

It sounds like all you ladies are lucky to have special woman in your life.

Yeah for girlfriends!!

Hands up to my wonderful mother!!!!! She is always there for me and always knows when I need encouragement, praise, or a “pick me up.” This past year I’ve gotten to spend more time than usual with her–surprised her last year for Mother’s Day–what a treat–spent time at Leigh Anne’s beach house with her, surprised her with 16 days at Christmas time (have been working on her history), spent a week at a condo in Mesa, Colorado together in June 08, and recently flew into Salt Lake and spent time with her and my father at a Wilkes Reunion. Her strength and love gets me through any situation. YEAH FOR MOTHERS!!!!