“I want to be your friend.”

I over heard a woman say to me, as I gave advice to a woman, while we all waited in line for a conference. While I have been fortunate to make friends easily, her comment brought a smile to my heart.

This week I have been thinking about my female friends and mentors. As a girl I always had one close girlfriend. It wasn’t until high school that I looked for friendships with like minded people. It wasn’t until after college, that I became friends with good, solid women. Our friendships matched or exceeded my closest male friendships.

Some of these female friendships have evolved, others have come and gone and others meander in and out of my life based on location or the stage of life we are in. There are girlfriends whose experiences resonate with me and my experiences in a way that have been comforting. Others have been great teachers or sources of support and wisdom.

That woman’s comment lingered with me and made me realize something I over looked within myself.

I am the woman I have been looking for as a mentor and friend.

I might have become her, or I might have been her all along. It never occurred to me, that I am that woman, that I could be that woman or that it might have been me I was seeking to know this whole time.

It has often surprised me how people have talked about me as a person or a friend. I always felt like I wasn’t seen or seen enough or heard or heard enough. Upon reflection, I know that was not the case. I see in myself how others see me and it’s empowering.

I see that I hold the values that I have sought for in friendship and mentorship. Ghandi said, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” This realization is an extension of that idea and has added to my internal happiness and for that I am thankful.

I am thankful for seeing the friend and mentor within.

May you express gratitude today for your friendships and the friend that is within your.

Love – Stephanie XO