Who Says You Can’t Make Friends in Middle Age?
The lady in this picture wasn’t a friend at first.
In fact, she was just another mom at my son’s playgroup,
The kind you chat with about snack boxes,
Tantrums, and the latest toddler drama.
Our kids shared two years of playdates,
While we shared two years of polite nods and casual conversations.
Then life happened—schools changed,
Cities shifted, and like so many early connections,
We lost touch.
But fast forward seven years, and there she was again,
Not because of our kids, but because of something much deeper.
Both of us had moved cities,
Navigated job transitions, and dealt with life’s unexpected detours.
And suddenly, our bond was no longer about the kids—it was about us.
We became each other’s cheerleaders and confidantes.
Now, whenever I’m in Hyderabad,
We make it a point to meet, laugh, and
Just be our most unfiltered selves.
No small talk—just real, raw conversations about life,
Dreams, and the absurdity of it all.
Here’s what’s special about this connection:
We don’t know what to call it,
But we don’t need to.
It’s a bond built on believing in each other,
Celebrating each other, and
Lifting each other up.
It’s proof that friendship doesn’t have an age limit,
And that women truly are each other’s best support system—
No matter when they meet.
And here’s where I see the link to corporate life.
It’s the same story, really.
Women cheering each other on, creating space for one another, and
Supporting each other’s growth in boardrooms,
Team meetings, and even virtual calls.
These are the connections that don’t just get you through the day—
They help you rise,
Both personally and professionally.
So, to anyone who thinks making meaningful connections in middle age is impossible, here’s my take:
Women supporting women is the most powerful force there is.
It’s not about finding friends who agree with you, but
About finding those who’ll believe in you,
Even when you’re figuring it all out.
Sandhya Bhagwat , thank you for being the unexpected friend I didn’t know I needed.
And to all the women out there—
Keep cheering, keep believing, and keep lifting each other up.
We’re so much stronger together,
No matter the age,
The stage, or
The city.
#WomenSupportingWomen #MiddleAgeFriendships #CheerleadersForLife #UnexpectedBonds #WomenEmpowerment #StrongerTogether
Executive Producer of HappyWomenDinners & HappyWomenWeekends
1wSabrina, we had some fun in 2024, didn’t we??!!