"There are good ships, and there are wood ships. The ships that sail the sea. But the best ships, are friendship, and may they always be" - that's what they say at least. I don't know the "they" that's saying all of these things, but this toast of the ages is among them, and as such it must be true.

I'm in the transitional phase of the newest chapter of my life. I am a college graduate, with work experience, back in my hometown beginning the adventure that is my next academic undertaking.

At the beginning of this adventure, like every other, there is the period of introduction. That awkward time where I sit among my peers and classmates, not really knowing any of them, and them not really knowing me. But, I'll be honest. I'm quite eager for this stage to be over. To find my person or my people, or a whole gaggle of a gang to be my buddies and pals.

Friendship, after all, is an important part of life. I truly believe as human beings we are not meant to be alone, we are meant to be and to grow with and share our lives with others. We are meant to have a witness and in turn we are meant to witness the lives of others. I believe that friendship is fundamental to our happiness and our health. I believe that some of the greatest love stories of our lives, have absolutely nothing to do with sex or sexuality. For those that are riding along with me, a very particular SATC quotation comes to mind...

And yet, something that seems so natural can actually be really difficult.

Maybe I'm alone in this. 

Or, maybe... just maybe, I'm not. 

While I realize this post deters from my regular projection of politics, I can't help but think about it as I'm beginning this new phase. I can't help but think how imperative female friendships are to women, and that if we have any chance of succeeding in this crazy world in which we live, we're going to need each other. 

Female friendships are unique, and I'll be the first one to say it: they're also complicated.

It can't be just me, can it? Even my girl, Mindy Kaling pokes at this notion and massive source of anxiety for this young twenty something: "Is everyone hanging out without me?" 

In my lifetime, and throughout my experiences I have had many wonderful friendships. Some were quick, and some were long. Some were on the surface and some have shared pieces of my soul.

But home again, I find myself and vastly searching for the strong sources of confidence and affection that only the best of bosom buddies can provide.

I know women who have maintained lifelong friendships. Women who have been best friends with the same individuals since before they can remember. I know women who have gone away to college with the same best friends that once bore the other half of a jagged-heart-on-twine necklace. And, I'll admit. I'm jealous.

While I have an inherent jealousy of these women. I also have some amazing women in my life, that I am so incredibly thankful for. Friendships that have been long, and short, big and small. Friendships that have brought me to new places, and brought me back home. Friendships, that make home wherever they are, and make me feel good where ever I am.

- for helping me smile when my mouth was full of metal...like all 5 years it was filled with metal. 

Sadie Hawkins/Senior Week/vacation/my 16th birthday/our big night out/a night on the couch 

- I didn't make more of an effort to go out and relax

I've had many friendships in my lifetime. While some friendships may have seemingly come to an end, I have to say that I am thankful for them. Even the friendships that ended in challenges and hard-times, when they were at their best were special and important to me. I am grateful for the women that have served as mothers and sisters when I needed them to be those things, for the women who taught me everything from, how to use an eyebrow pencil, to how to appreciate the smell of old books in rickety shops. 

I have become a better sister/friend/daughter/girlfriend/human being because of the women in my life, because of their guidance and influence. Because of the confidence they have instilled in me, and the voice they encouraged. I'm not done growing, and I'm going to need some help in getting where I want to go.