"I just don't have a lot of girl friends... I get along better with boys" - Every girl at least once. To that, I say: have you ever lived abroad?
I too am guilty of the above, and to some extent it remains true: however, living abroad has drastically changed my view on the importance of female friendship. Before moving to another country, you may find yourself in many "situational" friendships. What does this mean exactly? Well, their dorm is across the hall, they love strawberry margaritas too, and they also have an unhealthy obsession with HTGAWM, so boom! Friends! Moving abroad changes that, you see, because having a passport and reppin' team iPhone is no longer a strong enough foundation on which to form a long-lasting bond.
You'll cross paths with many a wanderer while living abroad, especially if you're stationed semi-permanently in a home-base. You'll meet all kinds of travelers and expats, and you'll begin to see the group thin out as the years go. Don't be discouraged. From my experience, the connections that I've made with some extraordinary people have a lasting power that neither of us anticipated! That said, living abroad and finding female friends means being discerning, but also open and vulnerable.
So why is sisterhood important? Because when the novelty of living abroad begins to fade, and you awake from the deep (dark) slumber of pub crawls, Zara, day trips, club cover fees, jumping photos in front of national landmarks, and over-priced tours and the confetti begins to settle, you realize that life goes on. The longer you live abroad, the more normal it becomes and with normal comes such luxuries such as stability, comfort and long-lasting relationships.
You may find yourself in real AF situations like moving into a new house, in need of a maid of honor, or god-mother to your children. Heck! It may be something as mundane as looking for a trusted gynecologist, or where to find a good, and reliable bra! These things begin to happen before you know it, and having women who are living a similar truth on your team is almost as good as having a sister far away from home.
When you do find your beloved sister-friend, value them, encourage them, respect them, and support them. Even if they live on the other side of the country, don't let that stop you from nurturing the bond you all share. In a world of immediate gratification and go-go-go, this is one thing that you shouldn't rush or force. It may seem daunting at first glance, making friends post-college, in a new place, or even in a new language, but each awkward fumble, impromptu road trip or 3-hour coffee date helps to build a link between you and your friend. So when life gets real, you both have something solid, real and true to lean on: each other.
Danni, Community + Content Director at Las Morenas de España, is a twenty-something, Chicago native currently residing in Madrid. Lover of language, words, and travel, she's managed to combine all of her passions through her work. In her free time, you can find her exploring the winding streets of Madrid, hunting down good flight deals, planning her next adventure and writing & researching for LMDES. Danni loves spicy food, natural hair, music and of course, her wonderful husband. If you need to find her, she’s the girl with huge hair and her face buried in her Kindle.