You may call them besties, BFFs, best friends, your squad or real friends, the term does not matter, what they stand for does. You know the “real women” that you can just be yourself with. These extraordinary gems are rare. I been fortunate enough to find a couple of rare ones myself.

So, this story is to acknowledge those amazing people that empower you to be more amazing. The ones that want the honest absolute best for you, some you may have met when you were in grammar school, others you may have known only a few years, but who they are deep down inside shines through.

Honestly, they are probably some of your favorite people, and you are not just saying that for appearance reasons. You saying it because it is true. They have given you so many reasons to become your favorites. From 2 A.M. phone calls and wine on the back patio in sweats to fancy balls in extravagant gowns, they have seen every side of you and would not change a thing. They always have your back, even when you are not there to see them have it. They are loyal beyond loyal. Even when you are so failing at life – they know you have good intensions. They are your biggest cheerleaders and we all need cheerleaders.

These are the people who are not fake with you and who you do not have to be fake with. They just fit like a comfy pair of shoes. Oppose to others who feel like stilettos on a rock road. These are the ones you do not have to give validation to and you do not need validation from. Your relationship is real and it is always going to be.

They are your people or your person, your selfie partners and your partners in crime. You adore them and cannot imagine a life without them (even if it would be drama free). Besides, who else can you say I am really trying to be more likable to? And, they laugh and say “you are, people just don’t know you.”

So, to all those real besties out there, keep on being awesome because all of us whose lives you have made better, we need you. Without you “Squad Goals” are just words.