Do social butterflies die?

A social butterfly. That is what my mom called me growing up. I made and kept friends easily. I usually had a core group of friends that I relied on for the important things, like borrowed hair crimpers and shoulders to cry on during rotten-good-for-nothing boyfriend breakups. But I also had many acquaintances. Still do. And they are a fun, solid bunch of people. Funny thing is though, my core group has shrunk these past few years. Significantly.

Perhaps that is based on what consumes my time these days. My free time is now devoted to my bubbly daughters and that handsome husband of mine, so any non-family related functions must be worth it. The people I am surrounded with must be good enough. Sounds absurd, I know. But I am so selective now in who I hold near, and in who I make an effort to get to know or maintain relationships with. I don't have the energy for crazies. I don't have time for shallowness or drama or ignorance. I need quality people in my life. People who lift me up. People who embrace life. People with substance.

With that said, I am fully aware that sounds "holier than thou." And believe me, I am aware my friends are getting the short end of the stick in this relationship. I'm a mess most days, and am borderline crazy myself (which is why I can't be friends with "mes"). But I am fiercely loyal and occasionally funny. And hopefully the combination of the two is enough for those in my inner circle.

Do you want to know the strange thing? While some of the women in that inner circle I see often, many are not people I hang out with daily. A few of them even live miles away. But they get me. And I feel connected to them in an indescribable way. And if they were sad, I would hop in my car and drive for hours so I could show up on their doorstep with Sour Patch Kids, a tissue and a mixed tape, er, CD. Because family aside, these women get me through. And I'm lucky to have them.

And while I am not out to make new friends (Cho, get out your "Who Has More Friends" list from the 5th grade cause you actually might beat me now), I am not closed off to the idea. I am just a lot more picky. Maybe that comes with age. Is there a bit of truth to the older and wiser thing? Not sure. I do know this. The small but mighty saying rings true. My circle of friends may be shrinking, but it consists of pretty stellar people. And that makes it plenty big enough for me.