I’ll admit it—I used to make assumptions about each of you before we ever connected. I envisioned you as the epitome of perfection: the slender one, the affluent one, possibly a devout follower, and the flawless mom. In my mind, your lives were picture-perfect, filled with blissful moments where your children were always well-behaved, and family vacations were free of any mishaps. I imagined you all living in a world of privilege, where my messy reality had no place. I thought your biggest dilemma was figuring out how to manage a stack of personalized holiday cards, and I convinced myself that if that was your standard of struggle, you would surely recoil from my chaotic life. So, I held back.
Thank you for not sharing my fears. Your willingness to show vulnerability and to “go first” allowed me to let go of my façade and confront my own insecurities. You have no idea how liberating that was. I am grateful that, after learning my most embarrassing truths, you still welcomed your kids to play with mine at the local café on those dreary days when being cooped up with a preschooler felt unbearable. And thank you for not judging my indulgent vanilla shake topped with whipped cream and cherries; you understood exactly how much that treat meant to me.
You see me for who I truly am. You recognized, perhaps without even realizing it, that I’m an introvert who craves connection but often struggles to reach out. You took the initiative to bridge that gap, and for that, I am immensely grateful. I promise to return the favor: I’ll pick up your kids from school, feed them, and even invite them over for a bath with mine when you’re feeling down or overwhelmed. I know you’d do the same for me because you already have.
I’m thankful that you, too, have faced your share of trials and tribulations. Thank you for emerging from those experiences as strong, remarkable women, whether it was through hardship or heartbreak. Your stories of resilience inspire me. When you share your past, whether it’s a brush with addiction, unexpected pregnancies, or battling serious health issues, you remind me that I’m not alone. Sometimes, I forget that truth; my mind reverts to feelings of isolation, and you gently remind me that loneliness is just a mirage. We’re in this together, and together, we’ll overcome.
I navigated through some of the darkest moments of my life because I had true friends like you. Thank you for bypassing the small talk and diving straight into meaningful conversations. Thank you for every moment of laughter and those “Oh my gosh, your kid does that too?” exchanges. Thank you for embracing the chaos of parenting, from tantrums to sleepless nights, and for being real about the quirks of your partners and pets. Thank you for welcoming me into your imperfect homes without the pretense of tidiness and for being honest about your journeys, even the parts that might be less than glamorous.
We all fantasize about a simpler life at times—one where milestones come easily and without struggle. But perhaps it’s those very challenges that have woven our stories together. I often feel that you, my tribe, are the silver lining in the chaos that life has thrown my way. Yes, I’ve had to endure some tough times, but in return, I am blessed with each of you in my life. You are my pillars, my cheerleaders, the ones who uplift me while I navigate the rocky paths ahead. Because when one of us triumphs, we all do.
So thank you, from the depths of my heart, for being there when I felt like I was drowning. Thank you for recognizing my struggles and reaching out to pull me from the depths of despair.
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In summary, I want to express my deep appreciation for your friendship, resilience, and unwavering support. Together, we will face anything that comes our way.