Cupcakes and Cosmos

The evite read:

If there's one thing I've learned over the last few years, it's that girlfriends need girlfriends. As fall approaches and the pace of life seems to pick up overnight, there's no better time to connect with the network that supports each other -- the girlfriend network. No matter how much we love our Dear Hubbies, when things get crazy and the chips are down, we all know it's our girlfriends that know how to rally. So, come treat yourself to a night of Cosmos and Cupcakes (mocktails served too!) Please bring a recipe (with copies to share)for your favorite martini or mock-tini and any ingredients you need (except the vodka -- I'll have that). We'll do a little tasting and a lot of laughing!

So, come reconnect with your girlfriends who have been traveling this summer, meet some new girlfriends to fortify the troops and start the Fall Season off right! Oh, and feel free to bring a girlfriend -- just forward this email to your guest and make sure they reply so I'm prepared.

Hope to see you here!"

Roughly 20 women showed up that Friday evening, and we had the time of our lives. Things got spilled, but it was room full of women, everyone rushed to clean it up. Great food got consumed, and we only worried a little bit about the calories. Friendships were rekindled, new connections were made, and women even transacted business -- but we did it our way.

My dear husband gathered the kids and took them to a movie and when he came home he even managed to steer the kids clear of the rack of cupcakes. I love my husband and he is a true partner in our relationship, but I know that no male energy can replace my girlfriends.

These are the women who rally when we are ill. These are the women that tell each other honestly, but with compassion when we need to "perhaps choose a different blouse." We support each others dreams even when they make no sense to us and we are there if those dreams fall apart. We bake cookies for PTA, heck, we are PTA. . . we tell each other about worthy charities, we stand on the sidelines when one of us "races for the cure."

Yes, women can be catty, but I find that if I choose to believe in the power and fortitude of women, then that is what I attract. The women in my life don't have time to tear each other down, we're too busy raising each other up. I use to worry that if I threw a party, no one would come. I am fully aware that I thought this when my core belief was that "women have to look out for themselves in order to get ahead." I was young and naive when I carried that belief. Age and wisdom have taught me so much more. I truly believe that the nuturing element of women lends us toward wanting to see our peers succeed. We don't fear that our lives will be impacted negatively, and we look forward to the positive impact other women and their success has on our daily experiences.

I can't wait for my next girlfriends gathering. . . I'm thinking Cocktails and Chocolate. . .