Julia Sims: The great escape

Every now and again, we all need a good old fashioned getaway.

Moms, dads, grandparents and guardians - we all need some time away from the nest to simply regroup and recharge.

My elixir comes every year in the form of a girls’ weekend with old college roommates and friends. We all met in the fall of who-knows-when as wide-eyed freshmen at Sweet Briar College. Decades later, our friendship is stronger than ever.

We are now spread out across the country. Among us there is a lawyer, a teacher, a former journalist, executives and artists. We’ve experienced marriages, divorces, job changes, kid quandaries and so much more.

Here’s the thing: It doesn’t matter how much time passes us by, nor the distance between us, these are the people who know me best. They don’t judge (believe me, they could). They’re supportive. They always have my back.

This past weekend, we laughed until we cried. We told embarrassing stories. We compared notes on life. We spent our days in T-shirts and bathing suits, wrapping ourselves in friendship and love.

So, when you get the chance, find your place and gather your people. Even if it’s just for a day, you’ll return to your family recharged and reinvigorated. Believe me, it’s good for the soul.