Since When Did Staying Home Look So Good?

One day recently I was cleaning out dresser drawers (read: rummaging through and moving things around) and I came across some pictures from a fun night out a few years ago. The Trio of Trouble, smiling into the camera while perched on bar stools at a local hangout. The picture was typical of those times in our lives. I'm in the middle, with a bestie on either side. You couldn't find three more different girls if you tried but somehow it has worked well for us. I looked at the picture and saw the ever present cigarette pack with cute lighter in  between us and our cheeks flushed from the mugs of craft beer. It's hard to believe how much has changed since that picture was snapped-and I'm not just talking about my hairstyle.

One of us became a single mother to an amazing little girl who is a joy to all. One of us met the man of her dreams and has moved in with him and his son. As for me-I broke off a near engagement, started grad school and embarked on my career and moved out on my own. Those changes are enough for any group of friends to disband but while there have been ups and downs, when the time comes we are as united as ever for one another. However, the landscape has changed.

More often than not, instead of hitting the local hot spot (although we still do that occasionally), the girls drop by my place for a wine and dinner night. Instead of sky high heels and shiny lip gloss we opt for comfort. The laughter flows along with the wine and the jokes are as quick and funny as ever, but we may have a three year old running around playing with my Kate Spade coasters as opposed to a group of guys trying to impress each other frat-brother style and trying to get someones attention. And one day I realized we were doing that more than going out. Staying in with the girls started to become more routine and I couldn't remember the last time we hit up the local bars just to....hit up the local bars. Now, don't me me wrong. Going out and dressing up is something we still enjoy, in fact we go out with other people more than we go out with each other these days. Expanding our social circle also came with age and it doesn't feel like an intrusion.  What I remember most looking at that picture is that the best part of going out was laughing, catching up and having a story to tell the next day about what grey t-shirt guy did at the bar or flirting with our favorite mixologists.  So while the scenery has changed, the friendship remains. The best part about going out is still the best part about staying home: laughter, joy and a few hours to escape the daily grind and be with people who know you the best and love you in spite of it.  The 25 year old me would never have believed that or pictured herself not going out every weekend, all weekend long. The 25 year old me thought that at 30 she'd still be going strong or married and going out with her hot husband.  The 25 year old me also smoked, had flipped out hair, and doubted herself often.  The 30 year old me is much wiser. I think I like her better.