Photo by Warner Bros

I saw Sex and the City 2 last night. It was really fun, hilarious, over the top, and crude in parts (in particular in Samantha’s private parts). I was thinking afterwards why I love this movie, why I loved the TV series, why I don’t mind the over the top fashion, the vulgarity, the superficiality. What keeps me a fan is the friendship the four characters share.

Even though Miranda wasn’t fun for two years, Charlotte’s lying to herself about motherhood,  Samantha has insatiable obsessions with men and  face cream, and even though Carrie lost and found herself in the wrong relationship, no matter what these four go through the other three stand by.  Sometimes with rolling eyes or dismay, but they don’t seem to go far other than being irritated in the moment.

The movie in all its Hollywood glory got me thinking about the themes that mirror friendship. For me, what makes the difference between good companionship and life changing friendship is this: 

When she loses her way, no matter what’s happening in your day, you’ll keep a very close eye on her. When you’re buried under the rubble she makes sure to hold onto your hand until you dig yourself out. It’s the absence of ”I am so bothered by your current state of crazy that I am stepping away.”  There is no switching of the heart because at times her life looks under dressed.  Looking at her is like looking in the mirror – she won’t lie to make you feel better. But she will remove the blind fold and point you in the better direction.  She’s the one person on the planet you know you can call when you spend your life savings flying from another country to date a man in New York City to find out he’s a player. And then she’s there when you do it all over again. In the moments when life turns you on your head and you can’t see the forest for the trees, she’s the caring voice in the middle of the very dark night.  It’s the many cups of tea when you talk about everything and absolutely nothing but mostly it’s the comfort of being real.

No matter what level of success we create, no matter how far or close we dance with our truth, no matter how deeply we love, and no matter how much our lives are touched by glory, we will always need ”the girls” or a girlfriend to color our lives toward a brighter shade of lovely.

When that day comes when we need that special kind of friend, let’s hope we’ve been one along the way.

Carrie