Text Me When You Get Home by Kayleen Shaefer is a non-fiction book that explores the evolution, triumph, and power of female friendships. Beginning with the history of the traditionally male-dominated word "friend", progressing through the portrayal of female friendships in television, movies, and literature, and complete with interesting interviews and stories from real life friends, Text Me When You Get Home will validate the importance of having strong women by your side, no matter what.
What I found particularly interesting was the discussion of how friendships are unique relationships in our lives because there is nothing legally tying us together. This is not true of parents, sisters, husbands, wives, children, and even work colleagues. (Not that work colleagues can't be friends. Some of my closest ones are.) But friendships are different. We could walk away at anytime, and we don't. Further, it's not uncommon for friendships endure even longer than some of these other relationships in our lives. That is something to think about.
Christina from Grey's Anatomy says it best when she tells Meredith, "You're my person."
I saw myself so often in the anecdotes and research shared that Text Me When You Get Home made me both laugh and cry. I thought of many wonderful memories I've had with my girlfriends (our road trip to the Inn Boonsboro came to mind), and I was reminded of how important these friendships have been to me over the years. My friends were life-giving when I was struggling with pregnancy loss and the early days of motherhood.
This is one of those books in which I have underlined many quotations and starred full paragraphs because the ideas resonated deeply with me. Right from the beginning there were passages I had to stop and reread, just to savour them again.
"The words, and corresponding texts we send when we do get home, are a web connecting us, winding though the many moments we spend together and apart, helping us understand that whenever we're unmoored or terrified or irate or heartbroken or just bored, we're not by ourselves."
Text Me When You Get Home, Kayleen Schaefer
Text Me When You Get Home is a quick and delightful read. It will make you fall in love your friends all over again and strengthen your own commitment to your female friendships in the very best way. I hope you pick it up to enjoy.
xo
Jenn
Disclaimer - I received a complementary copy of Text Me When You Get Home courtesy of Penguin Random House Canada. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.
