My Kind of Holiday!

by Zehorit Heilicher, Tastemaker in Residence

March 26th is Make Up Your Own Holiday - Day! Enjoy my favorite!

“Female friendships that work are relationships within which women help each other belong to themselves.” Louis Bernikow

All around us spring beckons with green shoots peeking, robins fleeting about and rebirth holidays approaching. Emerging from the winter, my friends and I have established a ritual over the last 10 years: Girlfriends Getaway. Creating our own holiday away from jobs, responsibilities, schedules and yes, husbands and children as well. (Admit it, we all need that break at times…)

So, armed with some food, drinks, music selection and high spirits we head every spring to Grand View Lodge in Nisswa, MN. We spend a weekend of leisurely mornings, refreshing walks, spa treatments and late nights of wine and conversation by the fire. Now, who would not get rejuvenated by that?

The early onset of spring this year prevented us from walking on the frozen per our tradition, but there were plenty of other perks to enjoy. The sunny walk we took down a meandering path, the breakfast we had on the balcony (for real, in Minnesota in March!!) were an uplifting change. The spa treatments had us returning to our cabin languid and relaxed, ready for an evening of conversation, sharing and laughter.

This year’s trip was tinged with mixed feelings as one of the friends is following a wonderful professional opportunity that will take her away from us to NYC. In a nostalgic mood, we spent an evening mapping our friendships: the marital and parenting challenges we supported each other through, the celebrations and the losses we shared and the closeness and trust that were built through our years on that journey. It is my heartfelt belief that life is so much fuller, healthier and richer with deep and true friendships sustaining us a long the way. Treasure your friendships, nurture them and do not forget to celebrate them too!