Friendship

Last night I got together with my favourite group of ladies for our "240" club/book club.  We've all been so busy that we decided to join the two clubs together, seeing as how most of the members are the same.

Our "240" club usually meets once a month and each participant brings $20.  There are 12 of us, so hence $240 is collected.   Then we draw a name and that person wins the pot.   Each member wins once a year... The only rule is that the person who wins needs to spend the money on something just for themselves and try to purchase something they would not normally purchase.  (A general guideline is if your husband won't let you buy it - then that is exactly what you should buy because this is "your" money!)   It isn't just about the money but really more of a unique way to get us altogether because in our busy lives, if we don't schedule get togethers, they just won't happen.

Anyway, I LOVE these nights!   I feel so fortunate to have such an amazing group of women to call my friends.  Some of us met in prenatal classes with our first babies.  Then as we attended "Mommy Classes" at Thompson Community Centre more people joined our group.  A couple of the ladies lived in Ladner at the time and oddly enough over the years five more of us moved out that way.  As a group we have added new members, lost a few who moved away but overall our friendships have grown and regardless of living in Richmond, Burnaby, Tswasn or Ladner, our bond of friendship binds us together.   Our children benefit since traditions have grown out the group such as annual:

• Halloween Parties 
• Camping trip to Cultas with 12 families
• Canada Day Party
• July 4th Parade and Lunch in Point Roberts
• birthday parties

And as couples we enjoy annual events such as:

• Summer Bar-b-que
• Christmas Party
• Girls weekend to the spa or shopping down south (no men allowed)

Our husbands have become friends too and enjoy a rotating Monday football night with each other, as well as numerous hockey/football pools and two "boys only" golfing weekend trips.   

These women enrich my life in so many deep ways. Together we rejoice in celebrations, support in difficult times, share in our passions... baking, reading, teaching, challenge each other in positive ways, unite in our love of motherhood, and enjoy lots of laughter, hugs, smiles, and love along our intertwined journeys.   

Yesterday at my pro-d day I spoke with another woman who was also part of a similar group of women and together we reflected on how lucky we were.   My wish for all the women of the world, would be that they could be as lucky as I, and have a group of their own BEST-EES because my life has been made so much better because of them!!!