Do you sometimes have those instances of not knowing what to do, what to think? Then you decide to pick up the phone and call a close friend, and after a few minutes you have calmed down and it seems like everything is going to be okay.

Friends are everything right? Without them, who do we turn to in some of our darkest hours?

30 July is celebrated as International Day of Friendship. According to the United Nations (UN), “The International Day of Friendship was proclaimed in 2011 by the UN General Assembly with the idea that friendship between peoples, countries, cultures and individuals can inspire peace efforts and build bridges between communities.”

Can you imagine that friendship is so sacred that even a day was created to celebrate it! Well, I guess that’s the power of friendship. You build strong bonds with someone special; you vent to them, cry to them and they give you advice, hugs and loads of love.

Of course, International Day of Friendship is not solely focused on women, however, for the sake of our Girl Talk tight-knit community, we will be talking about sisterhood specifically.

My two best female friends, my sisters in essence, are Busi and Thobeka. They each have their own wacky and wonderful personalities and they know me so well. I know that I can go to them, and they’d help me out anywhere and anytime.

On the other hand, good and loyal friends hold you accountable, they call you out when they see something they think you shouldn’t be doing, like: “no Amber, that isn’t okay …”

Sisterhood means different things to different people. Check out what sisterhood means to two people below:

Charlotte, 25
Sisterhood to me means that someone always has your back. Sometimes we do things that disappoint the ones we love, but a sister always supports and gives advice regardless of whether you take it or not. Then when you fall, they will be right next to you, still supporting you without judgement.

Chancel, 18
Sisterhood to me is more of a bond between a group of females, it doesn’t have to be your biological sister, it can be your friends; but a group of females that you feel you are able to speak to, able to communicate and connect to – you guys just have this strong bond that you feel comfortable with calling them your sister. Somebody that you are able to express yourself with, someone that you’ll be able to commit to and grow with. That’s sisterhood to me.

Remember, when July 30 comes around, send a cute little message to your bestie and tell them how much you appreciate them.

“Sisterhood is to be together, feel together, heal together and rise together.” – Anonymous

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Tell us: Who is your best friend and why? Send them a shoutout in the comment section.

Read more here on being okay with having preferences.