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Some couples dread spending time away from each other, but time apart is a key component to a healthy relationship. When Andrew and I started dating, we surrounded ourselves exclusively with one another, inadvertently isolating ourselves from other people in our lives. To remedy this, we began going on double dates to the movies, dinner and midnight bowling. These times were fulfilling in that it gave us the chance to be with each other and make friends at the same time, but something was still missing.

There are some things you just need to discuss with your girlfriends – things that your husband won’t understand or doesn’t care to mentally process. Most aren’t interested in who your favorite celebrity had lunch with, what color your toenails are painted, where you found that killer pair of heels or any of your latest dramas (unless it directly involves them). I don’t think a man’s lack of interest is in any way malicious; it’s simply how they are programmed at birth. Several times I have found myself literally talking to myself because Andrew has dwindled off due to boredom resulting from my rambling.

On the flip side of the equation, few girls genuinely care to hear about gross habits and ridiculously silly stories that only men find funny. Sure, they can be humorous to an extent, but sometimes when Andrew finds something incredibly interesting, I find myself completely and honestly bored.

Keeping this in mind, I make it a priority to spend at least one evening every two weeks with my girlfriends. Whether it’s coffee, dinner, ice cream or game night at one of our homes, I live for these nights. We are able to let our hair down and have even been known to have one or two pajama parties while playing Apples to Apples and laughing hysterically.

And let’s face it – while they may not admit it out of fear of sounding too needy, guys need to bond as much as we need our girl time. Some rambling just needs to be saved for friends.

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