Every friend group has one, the one girl who has the style and attitude of a mother. Let’s face it, she may as well already have kids. She always carries a bag that no matter what you need, she has it (Band-Aids, a snack, extra shoelaces), and somehow it's always there. She asks for updates on boys, if you are feeling better, and wants to know if you want food from McDonalds and needs it dropped off at the back door of a frat. She is caring, usually a little over=protective, and always has to know what’s going on. This very friend is the one you all place bets on having kids in the next five years.
Well, I’m here to explain this friend from her point of view. I am this friend. Approximately 95 percent of my closet has been purchased from Loft, Old Navy, or Target. I am definitely not ashamed of this in any way. I love my closet and that fact that in 10 years I can still wear it. Unfortunately, unless the theme is country club, I more often than not will be borrowing clothes from a friend’s closet. We mothers in the friend group love our style. It’s a mix of Jackie Kennedy and classic pieces that can be worn for a decade. Sorry, but it's true. When I go out shopping for party clothes, it ends in failure. Sometimes I can say I scored a cute party tank, though. I’ve tried to change, we all truly have, but in the end, our style is meant to remind you of the 35-year-old neighbor back home.
Let's talk about that bag I always have: the problem is we are worriers. If I am packing for something, whether it be a practice, meeting, or spring break on the road, my bag is always over-filled. The thing is, mother friends always over-pack because, hey, somebody might need something and what if we don’t have it. On softball trips, I’m known to pack two pairs of cleats and an extra pair of black pants. The reasoning is once again that you never know what will happen. Part of the reason we always have so much with us is our belief in being prepared for everything. Being prepared allows me to live with less stress; I know whether something good or bad happens, I’m ready.
The approval of boyfriends: We all know that every friend has to approve of boyfriends, but the mother friend takes it a little further. We want what is best for you, and if we don’t think he stacks up, well then, by golly, we will let him know. He may or may not receive minor threats (AKA, if he hurts you we hurt him). Although we love you, sometimes we don’t trust your judgment. The judging of all boys is important to our status as mother friend. If we don’t take care of you in college while you’re away from your real mother, who will? This job is serious to us. But in all honesty, will a boy pass the test? Most likely not.
We mother friends are protective, loving, and want the best for all our friends. The style we possess is not to be messed with; it describes who we are to a tee. Our personality is undeniable, and the fact that we are so confident in being a mother so early in our youth is a good thing. But, do us a favor, the next time she tells you she almost bought a diaper bag because she thought it was a cute Vera Bradley satchel, don’t give her too much of a hard time.
