by Amanda Ponzar

Who has been there for you throughout your life? I mean, really THERE for you through thick and thin? Many of us might say a family member (mom, dad, grandma, sister), but I suspect top of the list would also be a friend. Or, more specifically, a best friend.

You know, BFF.

My BFF of more than 25 years just left after visiting for three days. She brought her four-month-old baby, and we had a wonderful time relaxing, talking, visiting Starbucks(vanilla creme/skim foam thing for her; java chip frappachino for me), walking the malls, staying up late over two consecutive nights after our children were in bed to watch all 229 minutes of the BBC's Emma, and just enjoying each other's company.

Over the years, this friendship has been there without fail when it mattered. We played together during recess, wore matching sweaters, sang a duet in middle school, went roller-skating, wore high bangs, and experienced relationships, graduation, college, marriage, moving, jobs, pregnancy, kids, loss of a parent, heartache, incredible joy and everything in between, together.

She is my best friend forever, and I love her. This is the real "power of women" to make a difference in each other's lives.

Whoever that is for you, why not give her a call/text/email/poke/message today?

(Photo: My BFF, washing my dishes last night; it doesn't get any better than that!)