The Love of a Woman

There's something to be said about the way that a woman loves another woman, and I'm not talking locker-room talk amongst men.

I'm talking about the kind of love that really does endure through all; when I speak of some of the greatest loves of my life, beyond my children, they are most likely women.

Women who I've shared countless laughs with, fought with, cried with, dieted and cheated on diets with, women who I can look at for one second and know exactly what they are thinking, no matter what they are saying.

Women who curl up in my king size bed with me because some nights, being alone really is nearly unbearable and you just need someone there to sleep beside you. Women who would instantly come running without hesitation if you called. Women who have picked me up, women who have laughed with me and cried with me and women who have jumped into cars in the midst of sleet two hours away and who continue driving, even though the windshield wiper is broken and they have to hang their head out the window to see, because they just knew from the tone of my voice that I was breaking in incredible ways.

Women who shared a twin bed with me for years because there were only so many hours in a day, and my room happened to be the one that was located in the basement, making sneaking in much easier.

Women who I fought over socks and bathroom time with, but who, when it was the bottom of the ninth and you needed a sacrifice bunt so you could score, bunted for you. Women for whom you would actually do bodily harm to another upon for making them cry. Women that you name your kids after.

Women for whom you'd hop on a plane and fly cross-country on the anniversary of September 11th, then drive them home for 28 hours straight because they woke up one morning and couldn't live their lives anymore. Women that help you pack up and move into your home in sleet and snow and sleep on couch cushions with you because your bed isn't there yet. Women who take five hours to help you assemble a swing, then when you realize that you've done it backwards, help you disassemble and start over again.

Women that you love dearly, but that somehow you've lost. Women that despite your goodbyes or their goodbyes or broken hearts you'll love loyally until the day that you die, even if you never see them again. Women who try to mend bridges that they didn't even know existed, and when it fails, wake up and try again.

Women who meet you and take you to dinner and then pay your babysitter for you. Women who make you want to be a better person, because they are the most amazing person you've met, and if you could be half the person they are, you'd be doing alright. Women who tell you they will raise your child as their own if a day came that your children were without you.

Women who know your greatest flaws, but would unleash the gates of Hell if anyone dared to discuss those parts about you. Women who know why you hide behind a face with no makeup and flip-flops, and the same women who tell you to give up the hiding routine, because really, it's pathetic, and put on some eye-liner, because someday, a boy that you actually like is going to look at you, and you'll want to be ready for that.

Women who would die for your children, women who forgive you for giving them their birthday present from March to them in July, women who keep your secrets and hold your hand when you need it, but kick your ass when you need it too. Women whose children you consider your own, women whose lovers doors you knock on at three in the morning because someone else's car is in their driveway.

These amazing women have given me so much; taught me so much; loved me so much. My life just wouldn't be the same if I didn't know the love of a woman.