How to Celebrate a Gal Pal

They say diamonds are a girl's best friend. I couldn't disagree more. In my opinion, a girl's best friend is her best friend. While it can be easy to take our closest peeps for granted, friendship bonds grow even stronger and brighter if you take time to acknowledge their importance in your life. Here are ways to honor your best gal pals.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Announce her beauty. We hope (and expect) to hear musings on our beauty from our romantic partners, but it's rare to receive such compliments from our girlfriends. Acknowledge her amazing hair, sparkling eyes, alarming smile, killer style and womanly body.
2. Sing her praises. Toot her horn. Be her glowing PR rep. When your friend does something spectacular--cooks a delicious meal, paints a picture, wins a race, gets a promotion, cleans a city street--brag about the accomplishment on her behalf.
3. Encourage her dreams. When your friend shares her deep longings (or even makes a hint about something she might like to try), support her to pursue those urges. It is daunting to step from our comfort zone, try a new hobby, leave a dead-end relationship, pursue a dream career, travel to a foreign land. Assure your friend that you believe in her ability to make magic happen and that you know wonderful things will happen no matter what the ultimate outcome.
4. Ease your feelings of jealousy. When our female friends are amazing (which we know they are!), it’s only natural for a little envy to seep into our hearts from time to time. Make peace with these feelings, lest they taint your friendship. And remember, your girlfriend can’t be faulted for your feelings, so don’t take them out on her.
5. Recognize her heartaches. When your friend is depressed, stressed, sick or low energy for no particular reason, acknowledge her heartache and comfort her in any way you are able.
6. Surprise her. Throw a party for her birthday. Leave flowers on her doorstep for May Day or Easter or simply a regular old Tuesday night. Cook a meal when she’s busy studying for exams. Call just to say “I love you.”
7. Say it straight up. Make sure to say from time to time, “Girl, I appreciate the joy and comfort you bring to my life. You are a tremendous friend. I’m thankful for you.”