You don't have to be heartbroken to get it.

One of my very favorite people on the planet, Lani Voivod, spent the last 3 weeks in Malibu (they normally live in New Hampshire) with her family on a well-deserved vacay. I was lucky enough to spend several amazing days with her, her beautiful boys, and her fab husband. We went to the beach, hiked Topanga Canyon, enjoyed a luxurious meal at The Hump at the Santa Monica Airport, and even engaged in an evening of karaoke. This is the only woman who can get me to do karaoke.

Once upon a time, Lani and her hubby (then b.f.) lived in West L.A. The entire time I’ve known her, she’s been with the same guy. I can’t say the same for me. When I met Ms. L, I was in an unsatisfying relationship that had somehow last three years. When we broke up, Lani was the first person I recruited for my Boo-Hoo Crew. It was during this time that I moved into my first solo apartment, got my dream job writing about Barbie at Mattel, became a very successful single (dating, kissing, canoodling a variety of interesting and available men), and eventually met Mr. Ex, The One Who Rocked My World. That led to my Big Breakup, which Lani once again nurtured me through.

Eventually, she and her now-hubby and young son moved to the east coast. They launched a very successful business, Epiphanies, Inc., bought a home, had another baby. I quit my job, traveled the world, and eventually met Mr. XY. Through it all, my dear friend was my rock, my cheerleader, my Boo-Hoo Crew and then my Woo-Hoo Crew. And while we don’t talk as often as we used to, see each other as often as we’d like, I am constantly reminded of how instrumental my friend has been to my life. I wouldn’t be where I am today without her. I wouldn’t have learned to love myself, appreciate who I really am, and eventually met Mr. XY had I not known her. That’s a beautiful thing.

And while there are no more breakups in my future (what with wedding plans in full swing), I’m reminded of the importance of having a Boo-Hoo Crew. That core circle of support is essential to breakup recovery. Plus, just as you heal and move on, your Boo-Hoo Crew eventually graduates to your Woo-Hoo Crew, your lifelong friends who love and support you through thick and thin. Without them, your joys and success may seem empty. But with them, life is full of celebration and happiness.

And even though she’s taking a hiatus from online activity to raise her lovely children, I know that Ms. L is cosmically connected as I write this post. WooHoo!