The Girlfriend Guide: Megan from Mackey Madness

It's time for another edition of The Girlfriend Guide, brought to you this week by
Megan from Mackey Madness!  Megan and I actually graduated from the same college
and nursing program and she is such an extraordinary woman.  Her posts inspire me
daily and literally make me laugh out loud.  She is lucky enough to be a part of a large
group of girlfriends and I think you are really going to love her look into their world.
Enjoy!

Megan
Mackey Madness
I'm a newlywed learning to balance my career as a nurse and my new role as a wife,
all while serving my Lord and Savior

1. Introduce us to your best friend!  When, where, and how did you meet?

Honestly, I don't have just one best girlfriend. I am absolutely blessed to have 4
beautiful women that I can call BEST FRIENDS. We all met in college and lived in the
dorms together. I met 3 of the girls in 2004 and 1 of the girls in 2007 and we have
literally been inseparable since then. We have since graduated college and now live
in different cities, but we still make frequent plans to spend time together!

2. What is your personal definition of friendship?

My personal definition of friendship is someone that you can trust, that you can laugh
with, that you can spend numerous hours with and not worry about having things to
talk about. A true friend is able to give love AND receive it, will be happy when you are
happy and sad when you are sad, will tell you when you are acting stupid, will love
you regardless, and will pray for you endlessly.

3. What qualities do you look for in a girlfriend?

I look for someone who is easy to talk to and is optimistic about life, someone that I can
share things with and know that they are being held in confidence, someone who I can act
silly with and laugh until we cry, someone who is dependable, trustworthy, and
honest, someone who I can come to call my sister.

4. How do you balance spending time with friends and fostering 
relationships with work and family?

My biggest issue is finding time to spend with my girlfriends, since most of them are out
of town. My husband and I make sure to have date nights with just the two of us and we
also are careful about computer/tv time versus quality time together. I try to do most of
my computer stuff when my husband is at work, that way I can spend time with him when
he is home. With my out of town friends, we try to meet up at least once a month. We
take turns going to each other's houses and sometimes we just meet in the middle for the
day. I have the attitude of "driving a few hours is TOTALLY worth it" to spend a few
hours with my best friends. I always invite my husband to come and I actually encourage
him to come...I want him to know and be friends with my best friends, their significant
others, and their kids. I want him included.

5. What advice would you give other women about having healthy, 
happy friendships?

If someone brings you down, then they are not a friend that you need in your life. If you
have a friend who is not happy for you when something good happens or who is jealous
of your other relationships, then that person is not a true friend. Choose friends wisely, but
be willing to open your heart to anyone. Be a good friend to others, and they in turn will
be good friends to you. It's really all about give and take. Spend time in prayer
over your friendships.

6. How has having strong friendships enriched your life?

I honestly can say that I would not be the person that I am today without my best
girlfriends. They have molded me, shaped me, encouraged me, strengthened me, and
loved me throughout some of the hardest times of my life. They have been honest with
me when they have felt that I was veering from God's will for my life. I have learned
SO much from them...I don't even think that I can put it into words, really. I have
learned how to be a better friend, daughter, sister, and wife because of them. We have
ridden life's roller coaster together and walked with the Lord together. Life is truly
bland without great friends.

7. What is your favorite girlfriend memory you have shared? 

I have so many "favorite" moments, but one of my favorites is the two days around
my wedding. My best friends came to stay with me two days before the wedding and we
just had SO many honest and deep conversations...along with quite a few laughs. It was
SO wonderful to share such a crazy exciting time with my best friends and just go
through every experience and emotion with them. They helped to calm me and support
me. It was truly amazing.

Thank you so much for sharing this, Megan!!  The bond you girls share and the
commitment you have made to remain fully present in each other's lives is truly
inspiring!!  You are so blessed to be a part of the "A Team"!

If you are interested in participating in the Girlfriend Guide, contact me at
the email address below for more information!

vasqueztribe@yahoo.com