The trip finally left the group chat! I had a girls’ trip with my besties this past weekend! We met in college, and despite the miles, marriages, babies, and careers, our friendship has stood the test of time. My friend Jennifer flew in from Memphis, and Whitney came all the way from San Francisco, bringing the most special plus-one: Her five-month-old son, Joshua.
It’s funny because we first started planning this trip back in 2020. I had just had a baby, so we decided to push it to the following year. Then, Whitney got pregnant. In fact, we spent the last few years ping-ponging pregnancies, but this year, no matter what, we were determined to make it happen. And that’s exactly what we did (with the cutest little fourth wheel in tow)!
The first thing we realized?
We are not the same fiery 20-year-olds who were ready for whatever the night threw our way. The time we used to be heading out for the evening was now the time we were heading in, peeling off our makeup (and bras) to settle in for the night. Ha!
Day One was all about relaxing in our adorable Airbnb — funky, spacious, and perfectly located near some of Dallas’ popular spots. That night, we caught up over Italian food at Eno’s, then walked the strip, enjoying live music under the unseasonably warm Texas sky, which was ideal for our rare night out together.
Day Two started with a visit to the cutest and coolest farmers’ market, where we indulged in the best birria tacos at Hurtado. One of the highlights? Getting matching permanent bracelets from Nikki Smith.
If this were 20 years ago, we might’ve entertained tattoos. Haha! But we figured our kids weren’t quite ready for a “new and rad” version of mom, so the bracelets were our happy medium. Finally, we treated ourselves to some sweet treats before heading back to the house for mindless TV and deep conversations, the kind that true friendship thrives on.
Day Three, our last full day together, included the one thing I had been most excited for: Our Galentine’s-themed dinner at The Charlotte. After a day of exploring, we got all dressed up and enjoyed our last night together before we transformed from hot mamas to actual mothers. The food was amazing, the drinks were delicious, the music was perfect, and the atmosphere was pure fun! Don’t get me wrong; I love getting fancy for date nights with my husband, but there was something nostalgic about dressing up with my girls, just like we did in our heyday.
Then came Monday and the dreaded goodbyes. Even now, it makes me a little sad to think about it. Our quick weekend together was exactly what we needed to refill our cups so we could return home as the best versions of ourselves for our families.
Making friends in adulthood can be tough, and while each of us has found community in our own cities, there’s nothing like the kindred connection of friends who truly know you, love you, and support you unconditionally. Over the years, we’ve been there for each other through college graduations, career milestones, engagements, weddings, pregnancies, and now, motherhood. True friendship is an incredibly special gift.
