Meeting my best friends was a pivotal moment in my life. I met them when I was 15, during my high school years. At that time, we were all navigating the complexities of adolescence, dreaming about the future and trying to figure out who we were becoming. Now, in our 30s, we still make it a point to travel together every July and December. These girl trips are more than just vacations—they’re opportunities to reconnect, reminisce, and enjoy each other’s company.
In high school, my best friends and I used to drive around our small town, windows down, music blasting, and singing along to our favorite songs. We laughed, talked about the future, and imagined what life would be like once we were adults. Back then, adulthood felt so far away, but now, looking back, it’s amazing how much has changed.
Despite the changes in our lives—where we live, our careers, and our responsibilities—our laughter remains the same. It’s the kind of laughter that makes your sides ache, that leaves you breathless from joy. Even memories from almost two decades ago can bring us to tears from laughing so hard.
But our bond goes beyond just laughter. We support each other through the tough times as well. Life has thrown us some challenges, including breakups, losses, and other difficult moments. However, no matter what we’re going through, we are always there for each other. I remember seeing their faces at prom, and later, I saw them sitting in the church pews at my mother’s funeral. Through it all, we have remained connected, understanding each other without needing words.
Our past in a small town created a bond that has lasted a lifetime. Although we don’t live near each other anymore—I’m in New York City, while my friends are in the Midwest—we make an effort to prioritize our girl time. July and December are special months for us because they give us a chance to plan trips and catch up on everything that’s happened in between.
Life gets busy, and we can’t talk every day, which is why these trips are so important. They give us a chance to be fully present with each other, to focus on our friendship, and to create new memories. Our trips don’t need to be extravagant or expensive. In fact, we prefer simple things, like sharing a meal and catching up over conversation. While we do talk about one day going abroad, for now, we stick to places within an hour or two of our hometowns, where we can meet at a central location.
What matters most is spending time together. In the summer, we often visit the beautiful beaches of Northern Michigan, not too far from where we grew up. We’ve climbed sand dunes, lounged on the beach, eaten watermelon and chips, and stayed out even when we were sunburned. We’ve also spent time at our families’ homes, sitting around a campfire, eating pizza in lawn chairs, and waiting for lightning bugs to come out.
In the winter, we enjoy walking in the snow and visiting quieter beaches, which are still just as beautiful. We usually go out to dinner, finding a nice spot for ambiance. No matter the season, we always have an adventure, and the excitement of our youth hums around us. When we’re all together, it feels like interesting things are bound to happen.
Taking time to connect allows us to invest in the friendships that mean so much to us. Even though life is busy, these trips give us a chance to revisit the past while creating new memories. It feels like we’re young again, laughing like teenagers, but also able to offer advice based on the wisdom we’ve gained over the years. These trips are a rare opportunity to see and connect with each other when we don’t have the luxury of dropping into each other’s homes like we did when we were teenagers, living in the same town with fewer responsibilities.
While one day we may finally take a trip abroad, when we have saved enough money and have fewer work commitments, for now, we’re focused on having fun and enjoying each other’s company. When we see pictures of ladies in their 80s traveling, we joke about how that will be us one day.
It’s not so much about what we do as the fact that we do it together. Life is unpredictable, but we’re there for each other in the uncertainty. Sharing a laugh with someone who truly knows you is one of the best feelings in the world, and we love counting down until the next trip.
