May 29, 2006 @ 3:37 pm | Filed under: Uncategorized

Eight of the ten gals who make up our annual Girl’s Night In gathered in my home on Friday night. Idgy (a.k.a. Cheryl) and Libby, we missed you muchly! (Check out the montage in the left-hand sidebar and make sure your speakers are on!)

The premise for these annual dinners came about a couple of years ago when I began to really take stock of my life and my relationships. I realized that I’m the wife, mother, daughter, writer, etc. that I am because of the people I surround myself with. I try to learn from godly and wise examples.

Like most women I have many, many friends and in all walks of life, in all shapes and sizes, and with a myriad of interests of their own. But I noticed that there are a core group of girlfriends that I am myself with. Just Staci. I cry with these women. I laugh with them. I let them see (horror of horrors!) the sides of me that aren’t always pretty.

And yet they continue to love me, encourage me, and give me the gift of friendship.

I decided that deserved some recognition and celebration so once a year, each May, I pick one special friend and we celebrate her. We eat, talk, eat some more, laugh, joke, and yes - sometimes there are tears involved and always there is chocolate involved.

As my friends gathered in my home this year and we toasted our friendship (with sparkling juice), I shared this poem with them. Thank you, girls, for the way you support me, love me, and challenge me to be a better woman.

I applaud you.

I celebrate you.

I love you all.