Something Old and Something New

There’s a saying about weddings that goes, “Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.” But as I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized that phrase isn’t just for brides.  It’s a beautiful metaphor for life itself, and especially for the friendships that carry us through it.

I have “something old” in my life that is more precious than any family heirloom: my lifelong friendships.

Some of my closest friends have been with me since childhood—through awkward school dances, class trips, and late-night phone calls (on the kind of phones that still plugged into the wall).  We learned to drive together, graduated side by side, and stood at each other’s weddings, tissues in hand and hearts full of hope.

We’ve celebrated new beginnings—marriages, careers, and the births of our children. We’ve also stood shoulder to shoulder in the hardest chapters—holding each other up through divorces, illnesses, and the devastating loss of parents. These friends have been the constants in a life that is anything but constant.

There’s something uniquely powerful about women supporting women over the course of decades. These aren’t just people who know about my life.  They have lived many parts of it with me. They remember details I’ve long forgotten. They’ve seen me at my most joyful and my most broken. And because of that, there is no need to explain, no need to pretend, no need to impress.  These friendships are my living scrapbook.  They are the “old” that grounds me when the “new” feels overwhelming.

In a world that often praises independence and self-reliance, I think we sometimes underestimate the importance of community and belonging. The truth is, we are wired for connection. We heal better, celebrate more fully, and weather storms more steadily when we have people we can count on not just for the big moments but also for the in-between ones.

My friends and I may not talk every day. Sometimes, months go by without seeing each other in person, but the bond remains unshakable. When we do reconnect, it’s as if no time has passed at all. We fall back into step, picking up mid-conversation like we were never apart. Even though we are geographically spread apart, when we are together, we are “home.”

The beauty of “something old” in friendship is that it gives you the courage to embrace “something new” in life. With roots that deep, you can weather change, chase dreams, and step into the unknown because you know you have a safety net woven of love, loyalty, and history.

If you’re lucky enough to have these kinds of friendships, hold them close. Nurture them. Show up for each other in the celebrations and in the heartbreaks. Remind your friends that they are your chosen family. Because when life throws its best and its worst at you, these are the people who will help you carry and celebrate it together.

Something old. Something new. And always… something true.