This was really wonderful. I’d like to think that many people are living and feeling this way but just aren’t allowed to say it out loud. I’m certainly one of them, but thanks for giving me this beautiful reminder to give it the light it deserves x
I agree! It really feels like "well no-one else wants this so why should I allow myself to" and it's so important to honour, right? Glad you're bringing it more into the light ❤️
Your gorgeous essay is giving me all the feels, Giselle! You bring up such excellent points: why are we not entering into 30 year mortgages with our besties? Who's to say we can't figure out a compound way of living so that we can enjoy communal living with all our favorite people?
I live in a loft at the edge of downtown and my dear sister wife moved in a few years ago. We joke that it's like adult college living, that we're 60 seconds from each other's front doors.
For so many years I was very wary of women. I'm glad that I outgrew that. Adult female friendships are the best.
I truly believe that this way of living alongside all of our people is just the most nourishing way to live right. Especially as you and your sister wife are! Having your own spaces but in such close proximity. Just divine!
I agree, the writing and the metaphors are utterly beautiful. The questions you ask are significant ones about our (American) culture. Sisterhood is a joyous thing if you can find it and nurture it, it can change your life. Thank you Giselle!
This is utterly beautiful - thank you so much Giselle. I'm lucky to have amazing women in my world and they truly are the loves of my life I've realised xxx
Someone said itttttt. Thank YOU for this!!! A million times yes. I have the gift of friendship with my blood sisters and my chosen sisters and I feel like I won the gift of life. I welcome romantic partnership whenever the time is right and I look forward to experiencing all that comes with that, but I am deeply appreciative of all that comes with friend-love too and it is just as special. 💛💛
Oh I am so glad you're here! Thank you for reading me, absolutely love what you wrote and I feel the same. Romantic relationships are such magic and what a joy to be able to co-exist and experience them both 💕
I loooooooooooooooooooooooooove this. Thank you for articulating it, for making it normal. Romantic friendships, platonic romance, all of it for the win.
This was an absolutely soul-pulling read that encapsulated how I feel about my friendships. I'm blessed to have grown in community founded in sisterhood throughout my life. My best friend and I of 25 years call each other platonic life partners and since we were young we knew we'd always have each other. I'm glad I get to live close to her again.
At the same time, I've been the friend that has let romantic relationships consume everything and returned to my girls brokenhearted. I so grateful they've loved me unconditionally enough to always welcome me back with open arms and no judgement. Love my sisters!
I love everything about this post. I have platonic, lifelong, girlfriends. Sadly all of them are across the miles. I have been isolated by mothering autistic sons. Seeing my friends a few times a year at the most.
I would love to have closer connections like you have described here. I need to get to work on romancing my friendships.
Thank you for being here and sharing Karen! I don't think we hear enough stories about the isolation of Mothering at all and the changing face of those friendships 💕
Thank you for writing this, I feel it in my core. Friendships are often underrated.
While I've lost many friends to marriage, I cherish the ones who have stayed constant. Writing love letters to remind them how important they are, buying them things when I see something that reminds me of them, spending uninterrupted time together. All of it.
This was really wonderful. I’d like to think that many people are living and feeling this way but just aren’t allowed to say it out loud. I’m certainly one of them, but thanks for giving me this beautiful reminder to give it the light it deserves x
I agree! It really feels like "well no-one else wants this so why should I allow myself to" and it's so important to honour, right? Glad you're bringing it more into the light ❤️
Your gorgeous essay is giving me all the feels, Giselle! You bring up such excellent points: why are we not entering into 30 year mortgages with our besties? Who's to say we can't figure out a compound way of living so that we can enjoy communal living with all our favorite people?
I live in a loft at the edge of downtown and my dear sister wife moved in a few years ago. We joke that it's like adult college living, that we're 60 seconds from each other's front doors.
For so many years I was very wary of women. I'm glad that I outgrew that. Adult female friendships are the best.
I truly believe that this way of living alongside all of our people is just the most nourishing way to live right. Especially as you and your sister wife are! Having your own spaces but in such close proximity. Just divine!
So beautiful, Giselle. And same: "There can’t be only one way to do life. I simply refuse."
I agree, the writing and the metaphors are utterly beautiful. The questions you ask are significant ones about our (American) culture. Sisterhood is a joyous thing if you can find it and nurture it, it can change your life. Thank you Giselle!
Thank you for being here Sadia! They are so worth nurturing right. Such joy ❤️
This is utterly beautiful - thank you so much Giselle. I'm lucky to have amazing women in my world and they truly are the loves of my life I've realised xxx
Thank you for being here, Zenoushka! It's such a gift to have them and to realise how much love there is there, right?
This is so incredibly beautiful and so true xx
So glad you enjoyed reading it Lyndsay ❤️
I love this Substack 🥰
I love that you're here! Thank you. Thank you ❤️
Someone said itttttt. Thank YOU for this!!! A million times yes. I have the gift of friendship with my blood sisters and my chosen sisters and I feel like I won the gift of life. I welcome romantic partnership whenever the time is right and I look forward to experiencing all that comes with that, but I am deeply appreciative of all that comes with friend-love too and it is just as special. 💛💛
Oh I am so glad you're here! Thank you for reading me, absolutely love what you wrote and I feel the same. Romantic relationships are such magic and what a joy to be able to co-exist and experience them both 💕
I loooooooooooooooooooooooooove this. Thank you for articulating it, for making it normal. Romantic friendships, platonic romance, all of it for the win.
Noha! Endless, heart-swelling thank you's to you for reading me and YES to making it normal!
It really is. Thank you again.
I loved every word of this, and my first thought half-way through was that I had to send it to all my friends. Beautiful!
Oh thank you endlessly! And it's such a joy to read something and see the people we love within the words, isn't it!
This was an absolutely soul-pulling read that encapsulated how I feel about my friendships. I'm blessed to have grown in community founded in sisterhood throughout my life. My best friend and I of 25 years call each other platonic life partners and since we were young we knew we'd always have each other. I'm glad I get to live close to her again.
At the same time, I've been the friend that has let romantic relationships consume everything and returned to my girls brokenhearted. I so grateful they've loved me unconditionally enough to always welcome me back with open arms and no judgement. Love my sisters!
I loved hearing about your friendship Jess, "we knew we'd always have each other" gave me so many joyful shivers. Such a gift isn't it.
Okay factsss. My sisters have held me in a ways no boy could ever. Beautiful read <3
The love is just so DEEP
I love everything about this post. I have platonic, lifelong, girlfriends. Sadly all of them are across the miles. I have been isolated by mothering autistic sons. Seeing my friends a few times a year at the most.
I would love to have closer connections like you have described here. I need to get to work on romancing my friendships.
Thank you for being here and sharing Karen! I don't think we hear enough stories about the isolation of Mothering at all and the changing face of those friendships 💕
Thank you for writing this, I feel it in my core. Friendships are often underrated.
While I've lost many friends to marriage, I cherish the ones who have stayed constant. Writing love letters to remind them how important they are, buying them things when I see something that reminds me of them, spending uninterrupted time together. All of it.
This is so beautiful Shailla! It's sad how many friends we lose but as you stayed the consistency of the ones that remain is bring precious
This was a total joy to read. Thank you for sharing.