Warning: the following post contains lots of girliness

When it comes down to it, I am really not the girliest of girls. I am the youngest of four -- two boys, two girls -- but being that my sister and I were the oldest and youngest, respectively, I spent more time with my brothers and thus was really a tomboy at heart. I remember talking with one of my best friends, Patty, about 'prissy' girls, and how we promised we would never be like that. I honestly can't say what I think a 'prissy' girl is, but I think back then it meant that you didn't ever get dirty, you didn't ride your bike down the street (no hands, of course!), you didn't play 'wallball', and you squealed at every slimy bug and creature.

These days, I don't get a lot of dirt on me, I don't own a bike to ride down the street (the 10-year-old me would be shocked), and I have definitely done my fair share of squealing and 'eek!'-ing at various rodents and whatchamacallits. Hey -- I think anyone would fly off the couch screaming if they felt a mouse RUNNING ACROSS THEIR BACK. I still shudder to think about that one. Okay, I still laugh about it too. As far as the wallball goes, I played a bit of that again in my college and soon-after college days. I would be willing to play a game pretty much any old time, I think.

So as you can see, I have allowed more and more of my girliness to seep through, and frankly...I like it. I don't think I've ever been the 'let's-get-all-the-girls-together' kind of person, but I have had those few close friends with whom I've spent massive amounts of time on an individual basis. I think it is so important for married couples to acknowledge that there are some things they just can't replace for one another. I will never be able to replace Casey's close male friendships. I have seen him with his closest friends, and there is an amazing bond there that I know is incredibly important and encouraging to him -- not to mention how goofy they can get when they're together (in a very endearing way, no doubt)! Ever since Casey and I were married, I would occasionally lament the fact that he spent at least once a week with several close friends (this is when he was in grad school) and all I did was work and come home. But then, that was really my fault because no one was holding me back but me. I have discussed this before, by the way. Given the choice, I will always choose to spend time with Casey than anyone else. But I know that my heart needs that 'girl time' too. And really, if you want to spend more time with your girlfriends, you just have to do it.

Last night, after Wednesday night Bible study, I was talking with Brandi, Carla and Carrie. I don't think I can say anything bad about these girls, and when I get to talking with any one of them, I find that I want to spend more and more time with them -- more time talking, laughing, or just being plain silly. I feel that little place in my heart that God has made for these kinds of relationships light up with a warmth and joy all its own. My need for 'girl time' finally reached its peak last night when I realized I did not want our talking to end. I asked if we could get together and visit some more, and all agreed. So, it's off to Nathan and Carla's place tonight (though I think Nathan will be finding somewhere else to be)...I look forward so much to an evening of hugs, sharing, and yes, LOTS of girly laughter.