Girlfriends…

A study conducted by the UCLA School of Medicine found that when we’re with our girlfriends, our bodies emit the “feel good” hormone oxytocin, helping us reduce everyday stress.

You can talk about things you’re interested in with your girlfriends. And, avoid the kind of topics men find fascinating, such as the workings of an engine or how .30 caliber rounds will reach terminal velocities of 300 feet per second.

You laugh at each others’ jokes. Some men, more specifically husbands, don’t understand real humor. Tell a husband a joke and he’ll squint his eyes to slits, scrunch his face as if he suddenly came down with intestinal gas and utter, “I don’t get it.” Girlfriends laugh with you and don’t even care if they don’t get it. They think you’re funny anyway and they love the way you added your sultry Mae West impression to your story. Really good girlfriends not only laugh with you but slap their knee and say, “You are soooo funny.” Those are the girlfriends whose birthdays you remember.

My childhood friend Teresa (on right) and I have been best friends since we were 4-years-old. Teresa and I have dined on chocolate cupcakes at dawn, sung Beatles’ songs loudly together, been cheated by Sonny & Cher when they didn’t show up to the concert we attended (and got the Dave Clark 5 instead). She’s the one I could call at 4 a.m. (right Teresa?) and who never laughed at my stylish “cat eye” glasses.

My mom Beverley (age 14 far left) loved her girlfriends and always stayed in close touch with them throughout her life.

Girlfriends like to go places that husbands would consider their version of Hell. Many husbands, maybe not all, would not think of attending plays or musicals unless drugged and dragged there, which most women feel is too much trouble. Girlfriends like to attend plays and musicals and even if they don’t, they’ll go with you anyway. Plus, they will happily sing with you in sing-along movies. (Remember Mama Mia! with Meryl Streep?)  Girlfriends will cheer together at the finale of a play or musical and exhibit gregarious behavior that would embarrass most husbands.

Another wonderful thing about girlfriends. If everyone sits at a restaurant table with hardback chairs and it’s noted that Phyllis is healing from recent back pain and a booth with comfortable cushioned seating would be better for her, girlfriends (all of them) get up and move. They pick up water glasses, menus, and purses and slide into a booth.  No one complains.

Husbands at a restaurant will note, “This chair is killing my back.” You suggest moving to a booth. Husbands are not flexible in this way. It’s all or nothing. “I don’t want to move to a booth and I don’t want to ever come here again.” Husbands will endure the pain of the hardback chair throughout the meal. He’ll tough it out and make you aware of his tolerated agony throughout dinner by inserting painful grimaces as he chews.

My fun, sympathy-listening girlfriends (and one attention-seeking giraffe) helped me celebrate my birthday at the Phoenix Zoo. Left to right: Sondra, Kathy, me, Phyllis, and Julie who is there but didn’t get in the shot. So sorry Julie. We still love you.

My girlfriends in my Sisterhood Support Group who encourage and support me in life’s challenges and who would laugh at my joke,I’m fairly certain, if I told them one. Beginning clockwise on right: me, Julie, Aubrey, Jennifer, Sherlyn, and Phyllis. Missing from the photo is April who starred in a musical we attended after this dinner, and Nancy on vacation in Yellowstone.

The best thing about girlfriends:

Realizing your husband waited up for you after a rip-roaring evening out with your girlfriends and that you’re very happy to see him.

the end. ♥