friendship: a slow ripening fruit

"Wishing to be friends is a quick work, but friendship is a slow ripening fruit." Aristotle 

One of my greatest fears in moving to a new city three years ago was the prospect of having to build new friendships from the ground up. I knew that it would take time, but I didn't want it to. I also discovered that forming and cultivating friendships when you have four small(ish) children looks very different than making friends in your childless twenties. (Can I get an amen?) Seems like an even greater task when you happen to be the pastor's wife. 
My prayer has been to find a few women that I feel I can really connect with and who I can love well and be loved BY. 

Last night I stayed up past bedtime sharing life with a few such women. Real life. And laughing. So much laughing. And it was SO worth it. today I've got some placebo decaf and hilarious group texts to keep me going. 

Don't let anyone tell you that finding and keeping friends is easy. It's work. You HAVE to be intentional in making it grow. Don't wait around for someone to pursue you. Initiate and dive in deeper. You won't be sorry that you did.