SATC

For the past three to four months I have been cramming through all six seasons of Sex and the City, in large part at the insistence and persistent encouragement of a good friend. Half way through Season One, I was ready to quit, but by its end I was hooked. Last week, I handed my friend the last folder of discs – the second half of Season Six – and already missed my new friends: Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte, and Samantha. But unlike the millions of women who had to say goodbye at the end of the series, I had the movie waiting for me. And I could wait no longer for it.

I took myself to the 4:30 show this afternoon. I sat in the theater with eight other women and one man. Not surprisingly, with the exception of the one couple (and may I say: kudos to the bravery of that man!!!), the seven remaining women had come together – in groups of three and four. I was there alone, but didn’t care. After all, I was about to spend over two hours with four of my best new friends! Virtual. Surreal. And oh, so real.

The first week this film was in the theaters it brought in over $55.7 million – the highest grossing romantic comedy in history. Women flocked to the film – in great outfits, fabulous shoes, and with one another. There’s something about this show – and its film version – that has clearly struck a chord with this woman and the millions of others out there who have been devoted to its story and characters. Though it has certainly opened up a lens on a women’s view of relationships, love, and yes, sex, it has done far more. It has embodied something women deeply long for – good, amazing friendships! Sure, their relationships with the men take us to the heights of elation and depths of despair. We’ve all been there! But more, it’s their relationship with one another that we really love and are transfixed by.

I wonder…do we let our own desire for great women friends actually take hold in our hearts, our daily lives, our choices, our priorities? And if we own up to that desire – and then act on it – what might result?

I’ve been thinking a lot these past few weeks about what women (leaders) really need and want. I’m convinced it’s not training or skill development or even a better understanding about the differences between the genders. Women need each other. SATC just drove that home a bit more clearly for me. We need each other on a regular basis – just like a weekly breakfast at a favorite restaurant. We need to be known and seen – just like when Carrie narrates that she, Charlotte, and Miranda were the three mirrors Samantha couldn’t help but look into. We need to laugh – at things that could easily make us cry…but always together. And we need to be loved – yes, of course, in ways our girlfriends can’t offer, but perhaps, to make my point here, in ways only girlfriends can offer!

One of the last scenes of the movie was the four friends gathering in a fabulous restaurant in New York, wearing fabulous clothes, looking fabulous, and celebrating Samantha’s 50th birthday. I walked out of the theater knowing my own desire – to be that kind of a friend; to have those kind of friends – not waiting until my 50th birthday, but certainly hoping it will be just as fabulous. Maybe I should start dreaming now about celebrating in New York – and what shoes I should wear! I’m grateful: I can quickly think of many amazing women with whom I’d want to share that celebration!

I will miss you Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte, and Samantha. I’m a better woman because of you.

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