By Jodi Lipper and Cerina Vincent
Just like there's a special place in every woman's stomach that has room for dessert no matter how much she's eaten, there's a section in our hearts that our best friend just owns. She knows you better than you know yourself (but she'd never say it first). She helps you squash your insecurities and makes you feel like the confident, savvy Hot Chick* that you are deep down inside. These genuine best friends are beautiful for a thousand reasons, but here is our top ten.
1. She'll Cry With You
Your best girlfriend is there for you when you have a broken foot and can't move or a broken heart and can't move on. Her compassion runs so deep that her tears flow along with yours, and before you know it, you both feel better and can laugh about whatever it is that was making you so sad.
2. She Doesn't Judge...
...unless you ask her to. Otherwise, your best girlfriend won't judge you for eating that whole carton of Cookies and Cream, for sleeping with a guy on the first date (and then never seeing him again) or for melting down at work and causing a giant scene. She may offer suggestions for how to handle things differently next time, but she won't make you feel bad for doing it this way this time.
3. She Shows Up for You
Whether you need someone to cry with, laugh with, shop with or indulge in a hamburger with, your best friend will show up for some spontaneous fun or support -- even if she's vegan.
4. She Gets You
Your best friend understands why you always wear heels, why you don't want to feed your kids dairy, why you have to check your purse for your phone at least three times before leaving the house and why you're eating French fries for lunch all week. No matter what it is, she gets it and validates everything about you.
5. She's Free Therapy
She can see all sides of the story and although she's on your side, she's not actually in your head, so she can see them more clearly. If you're not in your right mind, look to those who are and seek their council. Often that's a therapist, but more often it's the woman who knows how you take your coffee.
6. Your Success is Her Success
She's just like a sister, but without the family drama warning label. If you get a raise, she is so happy that you can feel her giddiness through a text message. If you're getting married or having a baby, she's the first one to start celebrating and the first one to cry tears of joy.
7. She's Your Sounding Board
No matter what's driving you crazy, throwing up your frustrations on your best friend helps you realize what you need to do or say to fix the situation. Even better, she can put your annoyance into perspective and show you what's really important.
8. You Share Stuff that Makes You Happy
Whether it's recipes, jeans, dresses, sex tips, books, shoes or secrets, best friends help us learn every day that sharing really is caring.
9. She Knows What You're Thinking
Chalk it up to being psychic, womanly intuition, or just knowing each other better than anyone else in the world, but you and your best friend often say the same thing at the same time. You call her and it goes straight to voicemail because she's calling you at the exact same moment. She knows what's bothering you before you do, and often she also knows how to fix it. Call it what you want; we think it's magic.
10. She's Generous
She's generous with her time. She'll chat with you on her commute home from work and circle her neighborhood for 20 minutes because you're not done venting. She's generous with her heart and will show up for you emotionally even if she's down in the trenches herself. She's generous with her stuff because she knows your friendship is more important than clothes, purses or the last piece of gum. She's generous with her spirit. She's someone you look up to, whose compassion and positive energy make you a better friend and a better woman in every aspect of your life.
*Hot Chick (definition): A confident woman. She knows what she wants and gets it. She is aware of her flaws, but she doesn't obsess over them and instead thinks that maybe (just maybe) they actually add to her unique beauty. She is passionate. She loves life. She is comfortable in her own skin and owns her sexuality, but uses it purely for good. She does not see other women as her enemy and competes only with herself to do her best at all times and to be her best at all times. She is forthright, honest and disarmingly herself. She is having fun and she is sexy and you just want to be around her to soak up some of those good vibes. She isn't perfect, but she doesn't care because she is hot. And so are you.