EmpowerHer : Friendship, Sisterhood And Strength

Hi! I’m Annie, a Midlife Blogger/Influencer … Sharing Life, Inspiration, Style, & Humor! I’m pro-aging and believe that you should always wear what you love and what makes you comfortable! I’m all about supporting women in their journey to discover and be the best version of themselves

That’s when I realized what a true friend was. Someone who would always love you—the imperfect you, the confused you, the wrong you—because that is what people are supposed to do. – RJL

There’s an undeniable power in women’s friendships – a bond forged through shared experiences, laughter, tears, and countless conversations over the years. These relationships are more than just friendships; they are lifelines, sources of strength, and pillars of support in times of joy and adversity alike. Over the years, my BFF, Carolyn, and I have had no shortage of all the things that connect women in countless ways!

Thanks to Gibsonlook for inviting me to share the story of our friendship to celebrate Women’s Empowerment Month. Women supporting women is undeniably the epitome of friendships that survive the test of time. Carolyn and I have laughed, cried, celebrated, and grieved together. Our friendship has endured and thrived which is a testament to the power of women supporting women.

I honestly can’t imagine a life without my best friend. We’ve experienced so many of life’s ups and downs. To say I’m a better person because of our friendship is a an understatement! Women are definitely better together!

How I Met Carolyn

Let’s go back to 1988! 36 Years Ago! In the bustling halls of Ockerman Middle School, a friendship was born. We quickly figured out we had a shared sense of humor and a love for laughter. In fact, our first principal refused to let us have the same planning period! We both taught 6th grade and he thought he could squash our fun but that didn’t work! One time he accidentally gave us the same planning period in the Spring for the following Fall! By the time August came around, he’d figured it out and we no longer had the same one! LOL! But that didn’t deter us! We found a way!

Through our years in education, we got our Master’s Degree together. Oh the stories around that! We were just laughing the other day about our antics during that time! Like one time, we walked right by the classroom and back to the car to go shopping instead of going to class! We just weren’t feeling it! LOL! There was probably a sale somewhere!

Eventually we both went on to get second Master’s and became a School Media Specialist and Carolyn became a Guidance Counselor. We had the pleasure of working together for 21 years in the same schools and there was no shortage of fun! Even though we both retired from education, we didn’t end our careers together. She retired 4 years before I did

How Our Friendship Evolved

Not only did we have fun working together, we quickly found we loved shopping and eating. Our friendship became a cherished anchor in both our personal and professional lives. With each shared moment of laughter, knee slaps, (our kids use to mock us because we would laugh and slap our knees at the same time) memorable shopping adventures, and each delightful meal enjoyed together, our friendship blossomed into a beautiful tapestry woven with threads of joy, camaraderie, and mutual support.

We quickly introduced our husbands, began hanging out as couples and supporting each other through the birth of our children and raising them. Fun Fact: She was checking out of the hospital after having her youngest the day I was checking into the hospital to have my first born. Not only did we become friends, so did our children.

The Beauty of Our Friendship

Our longtime friendship is a testament to the enduring power of sisterhood. Ours forged in the workplace, has withstood the test of time, evolving and deepening with each passing year. We’ve become confidantes, cheerleaders, and allies, sharing in each other’s triumphs and providing solace in moments of struggle. Now, we haven’t always agreed but we always respected each other’s right to differ. I think that’s key.

Connecting in friendship doesn’t always mean you believe ALL the same things. What it means is you create a safe space for vulnerability and authenticity. In a world that often expects women to project strength and perfection, true friends offer a sanctuary where they can let down their guard and reveal their true selves without fear of judgment. Honest conversations, shared laughter, and genuine empathy form the foundation of our Friendship.

Supporting Each Other Through Life’s Ups and Downs

Gibsonlook’s Women’s Empowerment Month celebrates one of the greatest strengths of women’s friendships; the unwavering support they provide through life’s ups and downs. From celebrating achievements to offering a shoulder to cry on during difficult times, friends are there for each other through thick and thin. Whether it’s cheering each other on in professional pursuits, navigating the complexities of motherhood, or providing emotional support during personal crises, women lift each other up and empower one another to thrive.

Empowering Each Other to Thrive

Carolyn has always been one of my biggest cheerleaders since starting Blessings and Sass. Every time I asked her to help, she’s all in! Literally when she helps me, we laugh like we did in our 20’s and we’ll both be 60 this year! To get these photos, we changed in my car! OMG! We laughed so hard! You know when you’re young you move better/faster. Well, navigating changing our tops and pants in the car was quite the event. LOL! Check out Blessings and Sass Instagram HERE. You’ll get to see us doing Try-On’s together.

Mine and Carolyn’s longtime friendship has been a source of immense joy, strength, and resilience. In a world that often emphasizes competition and comparison among women, our friendship serves as a reminder of the transformative power of sisterhood. By nurturing deep connections, offering unwavering support, creating safe spaces for vulnerability, celebrating milestones, and empowering each other to thrive, we uplift and inspire one another to lead lives of purpose and fulfillment. So let’s celebrate the beauty of women’s friendships and continue to support each other through life’s journey, knowing that together, we are stronger.

Gibsonlook just released The Peach Escapes Collection! Carolyn and I are wearing Gibsonlook tops and dresses. Shop the Peach Escapes Collection below. For size reference, I’m wearing size medium and Carolyn is wearing size XL in the tops. For the dress, I’m wearing size Large and Carolyn is wearing size XL. Use Code : ANNIE10 for 10% off.