The Importance of Friendship as We Get Older.

Friendships play a very important role in our lives. We all remember our very first friend. (Mine was one of our neighbors. ) As we grow up, there are high school and college friends. During that time, we think nothing will tear us apart. Then we grow up, perhaps grow apart, have a falling out or take different paths in life. Make no mistake about it, when we go off into the world, whether it be to embark on a career, get married, have kids or simply travel the world, friendships change. In the case of having children, unless our friends have kids at the same time, we may see less and less of them. We get busy with our lives. We have other priorities and as much as we may want to keep these friendships alive, life happens and we drift apart. However, as my kids grow up and have their own interest and lives, I have come to realize how important it is for me to rekindle these friendships, not be afraid to make new ones or to let ones go that are no longer serving me.

Growing older, surviving the teen years, kids going off to college, menopause, career changes, aging parents, end of a marriage, whether by divorce or death, etc. can be down right scary. To have a tribe of women that I can turn to, talk to and blow off steam with is essential! Never mind girl’s night out, girl’s weekends have become non negotiable in my life! These are the women I can talk and share my dreams and fears. These are the women I can turn turn to when I have doubts about a parenting decision or upset about something my spouse did. There is no judgment, but there is no coddling either. Any one of these women could call me out and I would respect their opinion. These women get me and I get them. In terms of friendships, 2018 has been a great year for me. New friends were made during my epic marathon weekend. Old and new friends came together as we celebrated the 50th birthday of another fabulous woman. The annual girl’s weekend to run the Wine and Dine races in Disney, brings together high school friends. Finally, a quiet weekend along the beaches of Cape Cod to scrapbook the days away. Each experience filled my cup, in one way or another. I am grateful for these women and our time together.

Michele’s 50th
meeting the dwarves with a new friend
Friends since middle school- annual Wine and Dine weekend
The crew ready to rock the Wine and Dine 10k

About The Author

Heather

42 COMMENTS

  1. julie | 28th Mar 19

    I totally agree! It seems harder to maintain friendships as we get older but you are right – it’s so important!

    • Heather | 28th Mar 19

      I would be lost without them.

  2. Karie | 28th Mar 19

    Yes! I know I have never felt like I had time for many friends but Iโ€™m realizing the importance especially now becoming an empty nester. I long for friendship.

    • Heather | 28th Mar 19

      Yes, it was harder when my kids were small. I am thankful I stuck it out, reconnected and even made some new ones to hang with. Always feel better after a session with my girlfriends.

  3. Stacey Damiano | 28th Mar 19

    I’ve often said women can be the worst when they try to tear each other down, but there is NOTHING like having some beautiful female energy to help inspire and hold you up.

  4. Nikki | 28th Mar 19

    Great post and so true! I remember my best friend growing up – we see each other occasionally but took different paths in life. My first adult friend – one I met after I left home and my neighborhood – is still around and is my best friend. I love that even though we are 1500 miles apart we can pick up the phone or see each other and pick up right where we left off. I also have 3 GF that I get together with every year, somewhere, and we spend a weekend together – we call it our reset weekend.

  5. Suzan | 28th Mar 19

    So true! The older I’ve gotten, I have a group of female friends who are my go-to for whatever friends, and am so blessed to have them! Thanks for sharing.

    • Heather | 28th Mar 19

      Thanks for stopping by!

  6. Molly | 28th Mar 19

    I love this. I am in the thick of little kids and no time for myself and I am always trying to make sure I don’t lose out on friendships. So important!

  7. Tracey Skafidas | 28th Mar 19

    Yes, I totally agree. It gets harder to make and keep friends when you’re running your kids around, but as mine get older, friends become more and more important in my llfe!

  8. Caitlin | 28th Mar 19

    So true, I’m finding it harder to maintain as many friendships as I did when I was younger. But those that do last are so important to me and I cherish them dearly!

  9. Tiffany | 28th Mar 19

    We always worry so much of our kids and their friendships we forget about ourselves some times!

  10. Leigh Ann | 28th Mar 19

    Yes, yes, yes! Having a community of support as we get older is so important.

    • Heather | 29th Mar 19

      Yes, I need someone to cry with when my kiddos leave me. LOL.

  11. Anna | 28th Mar 19

    I have had hard times to make real friends in life. And I know how much real friends are important in life. I have recently gone through a very bad friendship and still having a hard time recovering from it. I hope one day I will find true authentic friends, without jealousy in the back of the relationship, which I keep hitting all the time. I am so happy for you that you have so wonderful friends. And you appreciate them!

    • Heather | 29th Mar 19

      I am sorry to hear that. I have one through that as well and it took time to get over. I think as we get older, that pettiness and jealousy go away. Keep trying. Hugs to you!

  12. jen | 29th Mar 19

    Great post! Friends are indeed important!

  13. Junell DuBois | 29th Mar 19

    What a fun way to spend a girls weekend! It is so important to have that time with your girlfriends.

    • Heather | 29th Mar 19

      Something to look forward to on the calendar each year.

  14. Lynn Caplette | 29th Mar 19

    I agree friendships are needed all the way through life especially when we are older.

  15. Kat | 29th Mar 19

    It is so much harder to make new friends and maintain friendships. It takes a lot of work nit everyone is willing to do. I agree that it feels way more important as i grow older out that work in.

    • Heather | 29th Mar 19

      It is hard work, but find the right ones and it is worth it.

  16. Liza | 29th Mar 19

    I rely on my friends for so much. Thankful for technology so we can keep in touch even if weโ€™re not together.

    • Heather | 29th Mar 19

      Yes, Facebook has been great for that.

  17. T.M. Brown | 29th Mar 19

    It means so much to have people in your life who know you, accept you and stand by you in the crazy times. PS – I love the costumes you guys put together for your runDisney event!

    • Heather | 29th Mar 19

      Thank you! Disney friends are the best friends. We are always running in costume. One of the reasons I love the races so much. LOL.

  18. Tricia Snow | 30th Mar 19

    I agree…. I have been working on fostering my relationships now that the kids are out of the house!

  19. Cindy | 31st Mar 19

    This is so true. It becomes more and more important, as we grow older, to nurture and be nurtured by our friendships with other women.

  20. Kirsten | 1st Apr 19

    Have a close set of friends is so important. When life changes, friends come and go. Getting together with long time friends is so fun!!

    • Heather | 3rd Apr 19

      Yes! I look forward to my annual girls trip every year.

  21. Pauline Reynolds | 1st Apr 19

    I have friends new and old. Makes no friends and keeping them is a skill. When we lived in New Mexico, my husband had a hard time making friends because all of his friends he’s had since he was a child. Me on the other hand, I build myself a community wherever I am by making friends.

    • Heather | 3rd Apr 19

      That is awesome. Making friends as adults can be really hard.

  22. Katie | 1st Apr 19

    I agree! I cherish my friendships. My best friend and I have been best friends since 5th grade. Now she’s my maid of honor!

    • Heather | 3rd Apr 19

      Awww… that is awesome.

  23. Angela Greven | Mean Green Chef | 4th Apr 19

    I love this post ๐Ÿ’™my dearest girlfriend moved years ago. With my work I really only have women acquaintances, many of them and some closer than others. But nothing like my best friend, I miss her bunches ๐Ÿ’™

    • Heather | 8th Apr 19

      Awww… That stinks. Thank you for reading.

  24. Nicki | 10th Apr 19

    I agree. It is absolutely harder to maintain friendships as we get older. Totally worth it though!

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