We all know that relationships take work. Whether you are talking about relationships with your parents, your children, your siblings, your spouse, or your friends, a healthy relationship requires intention, presence, honesty, and trust.
I have worked to be intentional about nurturing and cultivating healthy relationships. One relationship that I noticed people tend to neglect is friendship. We just expect our friends to show up for us but that is an unrealistic expectation if we are not investing in those relationships.
Over the past few months, I have really enjoyed being able to show up for my friends in new ways, especially as they have experienced new seasons in their lives. And I have relished in the many ways they show up for me. Friendships are reciprocal. Even in the ebbs and flows, there should be mutual thriving of all parties in the friendship.
When I think of the role my friends play in my life, it’s a true love story. And that got me to thinking about how we should normalize having friend dates. Just days where you get dolled up and spend the day doing things together that bring you joy. For me, that means a day filled with beauty, definitely some shopping of some kind, delectable food, and deep conversations and belly laughs.
So here are some photos from my most recent friend dates. Lots of beauty. Lots of food. Lots of shopping. And lots of laughing!
