The Unbreakable Bond: Why Sisterhood is the Ultimate Soul Food:

The term 'soulmate' gets tossed around a lot, doesn't it? We're often conditioned to search for the one – that romantic partner who completes us, leading to a 'happily ever after.' And yes, I absolutely believe in happily ever after; I’ve witnessed it.

But here’s my truth: I believe we have more than one soulmate, and they come in all shapes and sizes.

I have various circles of friends, but there’s one group deeply engrained in my soul. We

affectionately call each other 'soul sisters.' For over two decades, our bond has weathered every storm imaginable, even though we're now scattered across the country. We’ve navigated divorce, abuse, healing, death, miscarriages, illness, financial collapse, rebuilding lives, blending families, and countless milestones. You name it, it has touched us, yet we've emerged stronger, always holding each other up.

These remarkable women came into my life in the late summer of 2004, just after my husband and I moved to Houston, Texas. I was pregnant with our first child, and my mother was bravely fighting cancer back in Florida. Returning to Houston, where I was born and spent part of my childhood, felt like divine intervention. My mom was undergoing treatment at MD Anderson, and her best friend had connected with a group of young women, many of them first-time expectant mothers like me. Introductions were made, and by spring of 2005, I had formed profound friendships with these incredible women.

Then came the hardest summer of my life. In July 2005, it became clear I was losing my mother. Her condition deteriorated from 'months' to 'weeks' to 'days' in a matter of hours. I was taking my aunt to the airport when the call came. When I returned home, devastated and reeling, my girls – my soul sisters – had my back. My suitcase was packed. My plane ticket was booked. They got my son and me to the airport just hours later. When my mother passed, they held my hand, entertained my baby, let me cry until I couldn't, cooked my food, and helped me stand again. They were, and are, my soul sisters. I truly believe God placed them in my life for a reason; we are forever connected.

Though life and careers have scattered us physically, we are always in touch. In 2010, we started traveling together, and let me tell you: these trips are the food that feeds my soul. We prioritize these gatherings at least once a year, often driving hours just for a lunch if we happen to be in the same state. They are my people. We are each other’s people.

In fact, these women are a core inspiration for this entire UnSettled journey. Our trips are like

spiritual retreats for my soul (with wine, tequila, and plenty of 'airport charcuterie' – that’s an

inside joke!). The first night together is always an explosion of pent-up energy, like releasing

caged animals into the wild. The rest of the time, we’re simply drunk on laughter and unbridled love. We dive deep into conversations about life, kids, love, absolutely everything. We go on adventures and gently push each other to step outside our comfort zones – to truly be UnSettled. By the end, we're high on each other’s energy for weeks, filled with a new zest for life.

I want to bottle that feeling up and share it with you. That love, that acceptance, that wild,

unapologetic joy.

This is why UnSettled is thrilled to announce we will begin hosting 'Sisterhood Retreats'

throughout the year! I want to offer you the chance to experience that 'soul sister high' that

comes with truly being with your people. And if you’re still looking for your people, perhaps you will find them here.

Stay tuned for upcoming dates and details. Your journey to deeper connection and soul-

nourishing sisterhood is just beginning.