For more than a decade, four of us who call ourselves the “Fab 4” have been meeting for an annual “Girlfriends Getaway.” Each year brings a new and interesting city, a different Airbnb, and countless reminders that laughter, friendship, and shared stories age as beautifully as we do – maybe even more so.
We’ve explored Saratoga Springs, NY; soaked up the sun in Costa Rica; embraced the arts at Chautauqua, NY; discovered the charm of Asheville, NC, and Mt. Dora, FL; tapped our toes in Louisville; and this year, we landed in Albuquerque, NM. What makes these trips special is not just the destination, but the sense of continuity – how our friendship, rooted in decades of shared history, continues to unfold in new chapters.
A Colorful Adventure in Albuquerque
This year’s destination city was Albuquerque. What a delight! We visited the Turquoise Museum, where dazzling stones and quirky exhibits kept us oohing and ahhing. The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, including the Indian Pueblo Kitchen, was just a short distance from Old Town Albuquerque. We sampled Native dishes rich in earthy flavors of corn, beans, and chile – ingredients that seemed to carry centuries of tradition.
We explored art galleries, walked through historic neighborhoods, enjoyed meals that required a tolerance for spicy food, and lingered over drinks and chocolates late into the night. Our conversations ranged widely – from health updates, husbands, family dynamics, books, movies, favorite products, fulfilling activities, where we might live in our later years, technology, AI, and more, plus an occasional dive into politics and religion.
At a co-op art gallery, I lingered over a stunning necklace made of hand-blown glass. It would have matched several of my favorite outfits perfectly. However, I said no. Why? Because I’m in the process of downsizing my belongings as I’m moving into a continuing care retirement community (CCRC). At this stage of life, I’m choosing to collect memories, not more things.
By the time we hugged goodbye at the airport, we’d already chosen St. Louis as our 2026 destination.
Not Just Trips – A Lifeline
When we started traveling together in 2014, we were spryer, with fewer pill bottles in our suitcases. Now, at ages 74 to 78, health concerns travel with us. I’m the oldest, sometimes joking that we also need to schedule a short siesta nap in our afternoons. But these trips have become more precious, not less, as we navigate the realities of aging together.
We even paused during the pandemic, a reminder of how fragile and important this tradition is. Picking it back up felt like reclaiming something vital.
Travel logistics have also changed. We prefer to avoid climbing long, steep stairs, and we judge restaurants not only by their menus but also by their noise levels, which can be particularly problematic for those with hearing aids. We stroll on our walks instead of aiming for a four-minute mile. We joke about these changes, turning them into part of our story.
Staying Connected Across the Map
Of course, we don’t wait 12 months between conversations. Every month, we gather for a one-hour Zoom call to check in with each other, no matter how far apart we are. One signs on from Washington, another from Illinois, the third joins from Florida, and I chime in from my locations in New York or Florida.
Those calls are lifelines. We celebrate good news, exchange resources, share frustrations, talk about enjoyable activities, and sometimes sit in silence when words are hard to find. They keep our friendship alive and fresh, so when we arrive in a new city each year, it feels like resuming a conversation already in progress.
The Deeper Value of Friendship
I wrote about the joys of girlfriends’ getaways several years ago, when we were relatively new to this. But the older we get, the more I see our gatherings as essential to well-being, not just indulgences.
Research backs this up. The long-running Harvard Study of Adult Development – now over 80 years strong – shows that the biggest predictor of a long, healthy, and happy life isn’t wealth or career success but the quality of our relationships. The study reveals that individuals who are socially connected tend to live longer and healthier lives. As its director summed up, “Good genes are nice, but joy is better.”
You don’t need a study to know this, though. Just ask anyone who’s ever laughed with a friend until their sides hurt.
Humor Helps
We’ve also learned that humor is its own kind of medicine. When the suitcase doesn’t close because someone overpacked again, or when we momentarily forget the full name of a museum we visited just hours before, we laugh instead of groan.
Friendship as an Investment
I often write about finances, philanthropy, legacy, and widowhood. But friendship, I’ve come to see, is also an investment – one that pays dividends in resilience, joy, and health. Our Fab 4 trips are deposits into that account. Our monthly Zoom calls are interest payments. And the compounded value is a life that feels fuller, warmer, and more secure.
Your Turn
If you’ve ever thought, “I should gather my friends for a trip,” consider this your gentle nudge. Don’t wait for perfect timing or flawless health. There’s no perfect time – there’s just now. Whether it’s a weekend close to home or a flight across the country, the important thing is showing up.
And remember, you don’t have to go far – or spend much – to reap the benefits of girlfriends time. Plan a simple afternoon tea, a shared potluck dinner, or even an old-fashioned slumber party with your gal pals. Pajamas, popcorn, laughter, and late-night stories can be every bit as restorative as a trip to the mountains or the coast.
As we age, friendships don’t just enhance our lives; they extend them. They keep us laughing, listening, and leaning on one another.
So, pack your bag – or just your favorite slippers – and make it happen. You’ll bring home more than souvenirs – you’ll carry back renewed energy, a deeper connection, and memories that grow sweeter every year.
As for us? Our Fab 4 group is going to St. Louis in 2026. Four women, four suitcases, four sets of stories – still growing, still laughing, still grateful.
Let’s Have a Conversation:
Have you enjoyed a Girlfriends Getaway adventure for several days or even a few hours? Who was involved, and what did you do? Was it a distant adventure, or did this happen relatively close by? When would you like to plan your own Girlfriends Getaway?
