You Don’t Have to Grow Alone
I have a soulmate.
Do you?
Do you have a person…a true friend who has truly been with you and held space for you in every phase of your life? Who has met you with love and compassion as you try on different skins and different faces. And yet, they still see you for you. They allow you to grow in every way, even if it isn’t pretty. When it is uncomfortable.
Someone who has loved you up close and afar? Do you know what it is like to not have to grow against and despite every hurt and obstacle by yourself. Someone who is so much more than a “Ride or Die?” Someone who grew with you over the years? Someone who trusted you and allowed you to see the smallest, deepest, darkest and most uncomfortable parts of themselves? And was a safe and sure place for you to do the same?
I do.
And over the last 15 years, together she and I have struggled against heartbreaks of all kinds. We have swam against wave after wave and survived every ride that should have taken us out. From cancer…to unknown diseases.
We have gotten to laugh at our misfortune and cry over the good things coming to our lives. We have grieved together…celebrated together. We have seen each other go from innocent and naïve 19 year olds to grown women—still navigating a hard and sometimes calloused world, but together. When we think about who we were at 19, and what we were to each other, our friendship seems serendipitous and magical as it started as it just a warm summer together, surviving being 19.
We are survivor thirties. And we are not alone.
Here is our story! I hope it can mean something to all of you.
If you gain anything from this post, please know that you don’t have to grow alone…so cultivate those friendships. And love each other through every phase and person they slip on to survive merely existing in this world. Have grace and hold space.
#lemon8challenge #growingtogether #bestfriend #lifemotivation
The journey of growing alongside a true friend offers invaluable emotional support that can significantly impact personal resilience and mental health. This story highlights the remarkable bond between two women who met at 19 and steadfastly supported each other through life’s toughest moments including cancer diagnoses and other health challenges. Such friendships foster a safe emotional space where individuals can express their vulnerabilities without fear of judgment. Studies have shown that strong social connections enhance coping mechanisms and reduce stress, contributing to overall wellbeing. This narrative underscores the importance of friendship beyond surface-level companionship – it is about mutual growth, trust, and healing. The women’s experience with illness and recovery demonstrates how shared struggles deepen bonds, prompting personal transformation and renewed life appreciation. Furthermore, the ability to hold space for one another during painful or uncomfortable phases without demanding change is a testament to authentic friendship. Cultivating such friendships requires intention: actively listening, showing compassion, and consistently being present even when physical proximity is impossible, as seen in this story. It is also a reminder that no one has to face life’s hardships alone. Modern life can be isolating, but building and nurturing close relationships provide emotional scaffolding essential for navigating adversity. Therefore, whether confronting health battles, personal doubts, or life transitions, having a steadfast friend who knows your deepest self can improve mental health outcomes and enrich life’s meaning. This shared journey from naïve twenty-somethings to mature survivors illustrates that growth flourishes best where there is love, patience, and enduring friendship. For those seeking to strengthen their social support system, this story encourages embracing vulnerability and offering unconditional support, key ingredients to lasting bonds. In doing so, we create a community where everyone can grow comfortably and courageously, ultimately diminishing the feeling of growing alone.
