In the back corner of a local Mexican restaurant sit eight women - some with silver-streaked hair, two simultaneously experiencing a hot flash, and another with her infant sitting on her lap… a few of these women have their makeup and hair done perfectly, a couple others wear yoga pants and athletic attire. And while their differences seem far more plentiful than their similarities, the love and connection this group of ladies shares is evident to anyone who looks their way.

As pitchers of margaritas sit in the center of the table, their laughter fills the immediate space surrounding them and more. Over the next hour these ladies exchange stories, tease one another, laugh until their sides hurt, and offer advice no one asked for but everyone needs. They even plan for a goddess/witch theme photo shoot, the idea of the group’s matriarch, to submit to a local magazine. This group is not a club, a committee, or a church circle; it is simply a group of friends whose ages span multiple decades but whose hearts are connected more deeply than any can describe.

In our fast-paced society where religion, politics, age, and many other factors tend to divide us, generational friendships among women are a quietly radical act. They are unique, sometimes messy, but sacred relationships that defy the social expectation that friendships must be age-aligned, or transactional. Generational friendships bridge the gaps of religion, marital status, culture, and decades-wide age gaps to create a bond woven so tightly that it cannot be broken.

Generational friendships are a rare and beautiful thing because they offer what same-age friendships often cannot… perspective. Within these groups, someone has already walked the road that another is just stepping onto. And while the older women in the group often bring experience and comfort to the younger women, that is not always the case. In many instances it is the younger women who have navigated some of life’s crazy twists and turns first… even losing parents or siblings before their older counterparts faced this grief… and they are the ones who are providing the comfort, guidance, and support. But that’s what makes generational friendships so beautiful. Each person brings to the table an entirely different set of life experiences and each woman teaches the others something vital. These are not things that any book or magazine could ever teach. And while yes, they may teach us how to get stains out of different fabrics, help us repair and clean up after a leaky toilet, hem a dress that is too long, or give us ideas on how to encourage our 2 year old to be more verbal or to walk more independently, the real lessons that they teach us are far more complex.

These friendships teach us resilience and compassion, unconditional love and acceptance. They remind us on the days that we don’t feel like we have it in us to take another step, that we can make it through another day, and that this too shall pass. These friendships remind us that womanhood is not a static identity but is a lifelong evolution in which we learn, change, and grow over time. Each different generation brings to the table stories of how they have become who they are. How they have faced the trials and tribulations they have met along the way as well as how they have celebrated life’s beautiful moments. 

But our friendships aren’t always seamless. They can even be rocky at times. Different generations bring different cultural expectations, communication styles, and life rhythms. While one woman drops off handmade gifts with little notes on your front porch, another sends memes and Amazon links at 2 am. One likes to call other friends every day and can talk on the phone for hours; another doesn’t answer texts for days on end until they are called out for their lack of engagement. And while these differences may feel frustrating at times it is these differences that are what make these friendships so strong. Because no matter what each person brings to the table, the beauty of these friendships is found in choosing over and over again to show up for one another in their own unique way.

In a society that often values individualism and self-sufficiency, these groups of women offer a counter-narrative: that interdependence, especially between women is what true strength is. It proves that our own wisdom grows through relationships, and that love, especially among women who choose to be there for each other and who see the uniqueness and value in their span of generations, is a kind of legacy in itself.

When you see groups like this if you stop and listen closely… through laughter and through tears… you will hear it… the stories binding these women together across generations. Because if nothing else, this group of women understand that when we choose one another across time, age, and despite our differences, something sacred happens. We don’t just survive. We thrive.

So, cheers to the women who mother, mentor, guide, encourage, make the conscious choice to support, one another… through thick and thin. Cheers to the ones who sit across tables, laugh, cry, hold hands, send midnight texts, and show up when it counts. Thank you for always reminding us that friendship isn’t always easy, neat, or something that we understand, but that the bond we share is sacred.

Cathy: Wife, mother, sister, grandmother to 4 amazing humans, and stand in mom to many grown adults. Loves all things Southern and making lots of fun things. Part Mother Teresa, part Atilla the Hun… Superpower: Gives sage advice and unwavering love and support to those she holds dear.

Emily: Realtor, designer, sister, favorite aunt, and steadfast friend. Adores dogs, pigs, yard work, Cheetos, margaritas, laughter, and good wine. Superpower: Makes everyone around her feel listened to and valued.

Shelley: Wife, sister, daughter, caregiver, and fierce advocate for those with different abilities and special needs. Mom to not only her beautiful 8-year-old daughter but also to many former foster children and lots of kids in her neighborhood. Loves gardening,

honeybees, flamingos, sewing, and above all else helping others. Superpower: Freely gives her time, care, and presence without expectation. Always there to help in ways many never even asked for.

Christina: Wife, mom to three amazing kids, sister, and daughter. Juggles a full-time career and a busy family schedule with a full heart. Shows up for every school function, field trip, and late-night talk. Sincerely believes in being fully present, actively listening, and loving

deeply. Superpower: Shows up wholeheartedly for her friends and family at all times. Her smile and energy brightens any room the minute she walks in.

Allison: Wife, mom, daughter, former PICU nurse, and a fiercely loyal friend. Loves late night snack runs, loud music, lounging by the pool, and spending time with friends. Superpower: Gives the most beautiful compliments and words of encouragement exactly when you need to hear them. Is always there to hold your hand and stand beside you through the hardest of moments in life.

Lynn: Wife, mom, stepmom, and a friend to all who embrace life. Loves plants, good food, and only the best bourbon. Hawaiian by birth, southern by choice, and loving by nature. Superpower: Sharing warm hugs, words of affirmation, and a listening ear for those she loves. Is completely non-judgmental and kind to all.

Annie: Mom, daughter, sister, perpetual student, and business owner. Loves all things organic, coloring hair, plants (especially cacti), and spending time with friends on her back patio. Superpower: Is unapologetically authentic at all times. Will make you laugh and keep you on your toes with her antics.

Leah: Wife, daughter, sister, doctor, and dog-mom. Enjoys all creative endeavors, caring for others, anime, gardening, and spending time with her hubby. Superpower: Has a calming presence and healing touch. It is like a warm campfire to her friends and a raging wildfire to any that would do them harm.