I’ll be honest; I initially made assumptions about each of you before we truly connected. I envisioned you as the epitome of perfection: the slender, affluent, devout individual, Miss Ideal. I crafted idyllic narratives in my mind where your lives were blissful, free from chaos, where children never misbehaved, and family vacations were devoid of any mishaps. I imagined your biggest dilemma was managing a stack of seventy-five personalized holiday cards, and I feared that if that was your only experience with struggle, you’d find my reality unbearable. So, I kept my distance.
Thank you for not sharing my fears. Because you were brave enough to show your vulnerabilities, I found the strength to shed my facade and reveal my own insecurities and failures. You have no idea how liberating this experience has been for me. Thank you for still allowing your children to play with mine at the local café on rainy days when I feel like I might lose my sanity being cooped up with a preschooler. And I appreciate your acceptance of my indulgent vanilla shake topped with whipped cream and cherries, understanding just how much I needed that treat.
You truly understand me. You sensed, perhaps instinctively, that I’m an introvert who craves companionship, yet often hesitates to reach out. You took the initiative to invite me into your lives – all of you. My gratitude is boundless; I promise to pick up your kids from school, feed them, and even bring lunch when you run low on bread and peanut butter. I’ll take them for a bath with mine when you’re feeling under the weather or simply exhausted. I know you would do the same for me; you have already.
I’m grateful that you, too, have faced your share of challenges and mistakes. Thank you for persevering through hardship and heartbreak, transforming into the strong, beautiful women you are today, either because of or in spite of your trials. You inspire me. When you share your stories, whether it’s about an overdose, an unexpected pregnancy at 19, a disabled child, or other extreme hardships, you remind me I am not alone. Sometimes, I forget this. My mind tends to retreat to that place of loneliness, but you consistently show me that it’s an illusion. We’re navigating this journey together, and together, we will thrive.
I emerged from one of the darkest phases of my life thanks to the support of true friends. Thank you for skipping the trivial conversations and for every instance that made me laugh and say, “Oh my gosh! Your child does that too?” Thank you for embracing the chaos of parenthood, with kids who throw tantrums and don’t sleep. Your husbands are quirky, irritable, or overly obsessed with sports, and I appreciate the authenticity you bring by not tidying up too much before I arrive. You own your realities, including the fact that your stunning figures often come with enhancements.
We all wish for an easier path through life, where milestones don’t come with such significant challenges. Yet, perhaps it’s these very struggles that have united us.
I often feel like my friends, my tribe, my cornerstone, are the ultimate reward for enduring life’s trials. Yes, I’ve faced some tough situations, but in return, I have each of you by my side. You are my allies and guardians, holding my hand as I tread through the fire and celebrating with me once I emerge. When one of us succeeds, we all succeed.
So, thank you from the depths of my heart for being there during my struggles, for recognizing my inability to swim, and for reaching into that cold, dark water to pull me out alive.
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Summary: This heartfelt note expresses gratitude toward friends who have offered support through difficult times. The author acknowledges initial judgments and misconceptions but ultimately celebrates the genuine connections formed through shared struggles and vulnerabilities. The piece emphasizes the importance of community and support in overcoming life’s challenges.