Gifts from God.

The group

Kendall and I. We've lived together twice and known each other since the 6th grade. We took gymnastics together.

Annie and I. Being silly which is much of the nature of our friendship. We became friends through a retreat called The Journey.

My sweet sis-in-law (she was also a roommate at Ole Miss). Love her.

Laura and I. This girl -- she is so funny, and keeps me on my toes. Love her like a sister (SM).

Annie made me a cake and it was freakin delish. It had chocolate icing in the middle!

Laura and I again -- complete with our party hats!

The older I get the more I recognize how important it is to cultivate friendships. I have entered/exited so many seasons with different friends (seasonal friends), that as I've grown up, I've realized what it means to have lasting, lifelong friends. God has been so gracious and merciful to remind me that he has blessed me with amazing people from all walks of life -- with different stories, backgrounds, etc -- that are willing to call me their friend.

I say willing to call me their friend because I am not always a good friend. I am a.d.d., I don't respond quickly, I struggle with listening, yet these people remain in my life because they are willing to see past the ugly and straight to the good. Or perhaps they have the patience of Job and love me in my ugliness. Who knows.

But I know this: I know that I have some amazing friends. I am so very thankful for them. For that core group -- and I am even more thankful that they are growing to love each other too. It truly shows a bond forming for all of us -- one that makes me very, very happy.

Not all of my lifelong friends will be included in this post -- but here are a few that joined me in Oxford this past weekend for a fun girls' getaway. I haven't laughed that hard in a long time!!!

A favorite friend.

This is my friend Laura. She is seriously one of my most favorite people. We've known each other for about two years -- served together numerous times, and she's one of those people that God put in my path and our friendship just clicked. I'm a few years older than her (AGE IS JUST A NUMBER PEOPLE), but she is wise beyond her years.

I got to see her Saturday and it truly was such a blessing. Whatever worries, trials, excitements we face, we can ramble on for a few hours, hug each other and know it'll be months, possibly years before we see each other again. But that's okay, because God gave us a sweet friendship, covered by his grace. Find friends like this...they remind you of the transparency and goodness of real friendships.