Lobsters, Hooties, Luggage and Love

Today is National Friendship Day.  It's on the Internet- it has to be true.  I read a few days back this quote from Brilliant Bob: 

"God makes mountains to dazzle us and friends to love us".

Bob Goff

Bob Goff is a genius. I love his book, Love Does. It speaks to me about putting all the words into action and doing something. Anything that is loving. I follow him on Instagram and FB and you should too. He makes me want to yell,  Ahoy mate. Come on board.  I've got room for "all you all" here...  He is a lover of Christ and the truth he sheds is real. It is simple. 

I know God gives us friends. He puts people in places and sprinkles them around to make your life just a smidge better. Easier.  Lighter. At least that is the way it is for me.

They are like the accessories to my favorite outfit... The cream of the crop...  the flip to my flop and the cheese to my wine.

Some friends are hiding in unlikely of places. and the best friendships are ones you don't have to work at.. easy breezy flying, all green light kinds, those are the ones to hold on to.  One day you look around and say, damn, I got lucky in the friend department.

It's hard to put a label on friendships and who is what to me... but THEY know who they are. My village. the women I am proud to get to call my friends.   I would like to think that I am changed from them being in my life present or past...

Everyone needs friends. It's been said that you live longer having fulfilling friendships then without.  

Bert had Ernie, Meredith had Christina, Laverne had Shirley, Thelma had Louise, Woody had Buzz, Lucy had Ethel, Batman had Robin and Ruth had Naomi. 

One of my favorite stories in the bible is in the Book of Ruth... read it and then tell me that doesn't encompass one of the most rich, complicated, brave and loyal friendships in history.

 "Where you go, I will go, where you stay I will stay" 

Ruth 1:16

Here are the 7 reasons why you need friends...

THEY:

1. Remind us: Whether it is reminding you to sign your kids up for dance class or its your turn to bring meat and cheese to the Christmas party. your friends will keep track of your head when you may have lost it. They are also there to remind you that it is okay you aren't feeling awesome today and they remind you that tomorrow is a new day...
2. Celebrate with us: Birthdays, holidays, promotion at work, or maybe it is that you made it through the day with out throat punching some one;  these friends are an instant party, They are your biggest fans. 
3. Challenge us: Ahhh... this is a hard one. but you need those groupies to make you better,  they want the best for you and your family, even if you can't see it. These are the friends that say what they mean and mean what they say. You may not like it but you have to hear it  these friends keep it for real!
4. Cry with us: You may have just lost your parent, job, or your way or maybe there isn't anymore wine; these friends prop us up and lean into the hurt with us. They give us guardrails and safety nets. They promise a real promise - not that it won't hurt anymore, but they will be there and show up for us.
5. Fight for us: They show us our strength when we don't recognize it.  They have your back when you are right and they will tell you when you are wrong.  These are the ones that tell you that you can do hard things and even if you don't want to they will. They are on your side and will go to the dark alley with you to fight your demons. 
6. Laugh with us: Sometimes they laugh AT you when you may have had a a few mishaps of the falling down kind or dancing like an absolute buffoon. They make you laugh with their made-up words or silly text messages. No one may get it but you two...and you don't care. These favorite people are the ones that you can laugh with until your sides hurts. 
7. Love us: This is the big one. they LOVE us. It s a verb... not an adjective. Well, it can be. Oh well,  never mind that. But I mean L-O-V-E you. Show up for you. even when it may not be easy. They show you grace and love every imperfect part of you.

So call your person. Your Lobster. Your Hooties. The ones you love more than your luggage! Hug them. Celebrate your friendships today, whether it is a new friendship, one that has stood the test of time or maybe one that needs a little TLC. Just do it.  Love is an action after all.

And if that isn't enough to make you get all lovey and ready to do back flips about how freaking awesome your friends are...you can watch some of my all time favorite friendship movies... (after you give the dog a bath, laundry, and cook dinner OF COURSE!)

Pop some corn and a cork ... And watch. You can thank me later.

Steel Magnolias

Beaches

Thelma and Louise

Fried Green Tomatoes

Walking and Talking 

What is your favorite friendship movie? Comment below... I would love to hear.