I don't have very many female friends. The ones I do have I've had for over 10 years, and have been with me through thick and thin. But, our relationships are not as "tight" as they once were. I remember the days when I would be on the phone for hours, just planning our next night out. Yeah...those days are pretty much over. We are all in different stages of our lives, and our paths are not crossing the way they once did.

My friends are amazing women, but lately we don't seem to have much in common. We do make it a point to get together a few times a year, but as time passes...it just gets harder and harder to find the time to schedule a night out. I often hear how important it is to maintain outside adult relationships, to assist with the objective of not losing YOU. So, does the fact that I enjoy hanging out with my kids make me a freak? Don't get me wrong, I enjoy a good "Girls Night Out" as much as the next person. In fact, the picture I've attached is from a recent night out with Erika. We got together to see Margaret Cho's stand up...and we had a great time. So I do manage to get out and spend time with amazing women...but lately, most of these women seem to be members of my family. Is that bad? Do I need to step out of the protective bubble of my family and sustain the relationships I've developed over the years?

What about you? How important are adult relationships to you? How old are the friendships that you've been able to sustain and...how do you do it? Also, how often do you get out without your kids for a "Girls Night Out"?