By Samantha McKenzie

I’ve always wondered what God had in mind when he allowed women to outnumber men. I always thought this was some cruel joke. A joke that would always help men justify why it was perfectly normal to have seconds, or make women think they had to compete for all the wrong reasons.

But as I grew up and invested time and attention into my female relationships, I came to realize that we, women, are truly here for each other.

No matter where I have lived on this Earth, no matter which job I ended up at, or which religious or civic organization I gave my time to, I found women in every facet of my life who have helped me become the person I am today. From grandmothers, to play aunties, to best friends, to classmates, to colleagues – I cherish them all.

Women have a unique and special nature. We possess a beauty that can’t really be defined. Every time you think we’ve given our all, we find a deeper repository of treasures within. We are givers, nurturers, consolers and builders. Some of us are soft and subtle about these gifts and others are bold and matter of fact. I found throughout my life that I needed them all. I needed my friends some days to show me extra support, to allow me to cry for no particular reason, to encourage me to go after my dreams, and to force me, yes literally force me, to get out of the rut that I had cemented myself in. Through them, I have discovered myself, and for that I feel truly blessed.

This didn’t mean it’s all been pleasant. I remember days when I’d ignore several phone calls, because I didn’t want to hear her advice or when the chatter and unsolicited opinions from the girls was way too overwhelming. But through it all, I could never say I didn’t get what I needed.

If you have these types of friendships, you should cherish them. If you don’t, you should invest in them. I’ve realized that what I thought was a lopsided formula of procreation was actually an infinite gift of love the whole world was in need of.