LITMIR.BIZ

      Table of Contents

       Introduction: In the Company of Women

       Chapter One: Sister from Another Mother

Chapter Two: Companions through Thick and Thi

       Chapter Three: Laughing It Up

       Chapter Four: Tips for True Friends

       Chapter Five: Faraway Friends

       Chapter Six: Girlfriends, New and Old

       Chapter Seven: Girl Talk (Except When No Words Are Needed)

       Chapter Eight: With a Little Help from My Friends

       Chapter Nine: Friends Are Some of the Great Loves of Our Lives

       Chapter Ten: Time Well Spent Together

       Conclusion

       About the Author

      Also by Becca Anderson

      Introduction

In the Company of Women

      As I write this, I am looking forward to a girlfriends’ night out tomorrow evening. Even though we are no longer twentysomethings dancing into the wee hours every weekend, we still get together regularly. Time spent with each other is absolutely essential. Truth be told, it is a combination of group therapy, the latest news, sharing helpful tips and recipes, and a whole lot of what we call processing. We process the state of the world, our jobs, and our relationships. This week, we’ll be featuring the “Ex Files.” One of my dearest friends has a crazy ex-husband who is a rage texter. And now he has a crazy new girlfriend who completely loses it if any photos of the good old days show up on Facebook or Instagram. Such is life in the twenty-first century where you not only have to plot a course through each day of our over-busy schedules, but also have to navigate the sometimes-tricky waters of social media.

      What’s a girl to do?

      I say we stick with the friends who know us best and see us through all the ups and downs of life; I have always said that our friends are some of the great loves of our lives. My friends have seen me through everything, from crushes and fashion disasters to shared vacations and long, lazy days of sheer delight. They are also there when the chips are down. I have weathered breakups, makeups, financial woes, career crises, and everything in between, thanks to my good friends. Good friends make the world go ‘round, so treasure yours, dear reader, and you will reap the benefits tenfold.

      In closing, I remind you of the wise words of this memorable wild woman:

      It’s the friends you can call up at

      4 a.m. that matter.

      —Marlene Dietrich

      Chapter One

Sister from Another Mother

      I remember my first good friend. I met her in the first week of first grade, and we are still friends today. We could not be more opposite, but, for whatever reason, Abby and I just clicked. We literally saw each other through every stage of life: awkward braces phases, first crushes and first dates, first heartbreaks, homecoming, and prom. I was also a bridesmaid at her wedding. Abby was a child of divorce, and we stayed at each other’s houses at least a couple of nights a week. When her father was on dad duty for the weekends, I went trooping along, and went trout fishing and camping with her and her dad, who was a proper Hemingway-esque gentleman. He was also the high school principal and didn’t let us get away with a single thing but also instilled a love of literature and nature, as well as stressed the importance of being a life-long learner. Abby’s mom was really fun and seemed so glamorous to me. Like Abby, her mom was gorgeous, whip-smart, and gregarious. I can say that I honestly felt like a member of the family and very loved and accepted. Friends are the family we choose, and Abby is truly my sister from another mother.

      I bet you have such special sisterly women in your life. Hold on tight and never let them go.

      LYLAS! (Love Ya Like A Sister!)

      If you have two friends in your lifetime, you’re lucky. If you have one good friend, you’re more than lucky.

      —S.E.

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