One of the hardest parts about growing up is that more often than not, you end up living in a different city than the majority of your best friends. And if you’re as fueled by relationships as I am, that is a difficult reality to live with.

Fortunately, I was able to spend time with a group of some of my closest girlfriends this weekend. We planned the weekend around an event called Wanderlust, which is a “mindful triathlon” that includes a 5k race, yoga, and meditation. Although the weather caused us to adjust some of our original plans, the weekend turned out to be just as peaceful as we intended it to be.

There is nothing like the joy of empowering your friends to do their best in a physical challenge, and then laughing the night away afterward while eating pizza, drinking wine, and lounging in your sweatpants. It was a balanced and empowering weekend that left me feeling both uplifted and fulfilled.

The strong friendships in my life are so dear to my heart. And while living far away is difficult, it also makes weekend trips like this more meaningful than ever before. It reaffirms how imperative it is to make time for the people and relationships that make us who we are. 

So if you’re like me and have friends who don’t live nearby, make plans to visit. If you can’t accommodate a visit, make plans to have regular conversations… and that means more than just texting.

These relationships are the important things in life. More than money, more than work, and much more than materialistic items. It all comes down to the people who fill your heart with joy. They’re your tribe. Love them hard.