As we drive our family down for a weekend trip to our alma mater, Auburn University, for homecoming, I'm picturing us all in our orange and blue, highlighted by the afternoon sun, waving our shakers, singing the fight song in unison and cheering our team on to victory. It's such a beautiful moment.

But I know this will NEVER happen. I'm not that naive!

​Do you have a village? A support system you can call on (I say call on lightly, because these days it's more like "text on") for anything - from venting to sympathizing to helping in a pinch? People you genuinely LOVE to be around?

I've written before (as in two weeks ago but who is counting?) about my search for  compatible family friends - adults that you can more than just tolerate (and actually like) along with the combo of children that get along. We're still in the process of finding our matches (though there are lot's of prospects!), but today I want to write about the need for rich, authentic, personal, gal-pal friendships. I feel confident in writing about this because I am blessed with an abundant village! A village that has saved me time and time again - even when they do not realize they are!

​14-31. It's a final score of a football game. One that happened 15 years ago to. the. day. Auburn was playing Syracuse and was dealt its first loss of the season (which went on to be not such a great season for the Auburn Tigers).

I remember this because 15 years ago (to. the. day.) was when I met my husband. 

15 years ago I was 21-years-old and a "big shot" intern for a PR firm living it up in Nashville. 15 years ago I was asked to tag along with a coworker, her then-husband and their friend so he wouldn't be a third wheel. You see where I'm going?

When faced with a weekend alone with the kids (the hubby went on a fishing trip to the gulf with his old college roommates), I thought to myself, "You don't have to suffer alone! Set up a family play date!" And a family play date we did - to see the production of Pinocchio by one of our local high schools. Extra points for exposing the kids to culture!

Ever feel like you're putting out a want ad when you invite people over... Or try to set up a play date? When you're first "dating" someone as a potential friend, you tend to scrutinize every text or email, or wonder if you're over-liking their Instagram posts. Do I have too many emojis in there? Or just the right amount?

​Several years ago I read a blog post by Rachel Bertsche, author of MWF (Married White Female) Seeking BFF (obviously I borrowed her book title for my blog post title). She captures her attempts to make close connections with girlfriends after she and her husband had been living in Chicago for three years.