Last weekend, I had my long-awaited hen do. A gorgeous house in Bath packed with my very best friends, sparkly balloons and enough alcohol to sink a small ship – what could be better? While the weekend reminded me just how lucky I am to have such great friends (and all in the same place, at that), it also reminded me how lucky I am to know such wonderful women.

I’m surrounded by them. Strong, courageous, beautiful women. Women that, for some of them, were just ‘girls’ when I met them. Women that have grown strong out of their life experiences, that are working their way towards important goals and big achievements.

Some of my friends are balancing full time jobs with side hustles, spending days at office desks and evenings running their own Etsy shop or taking on extra hours at their local bar. Another spends her spare time teaching undergraduates the wonders of Literature, filling their minds with great books and I’m sure, even greater knowledge of classic 90’s cinema

I’ve got friends who have travelled far, often solo. Those who have been brave enough to move from country to country, or across the other side of the world. Women that have had to make new friends in new continents.

I’m lucky enough to have friends that have become mothers too, juggling that balance between keeping everything going and still being patient enough to play with their kids in the garden, no matter how tired they feel.

Then there’s the women I’m lucky enough to work alongside. Or the ones whose Instagram feeds I find nothing short of inspirational. Creative, ambitious individuals that speak up in meetings, work for themselves, won’t settle for a 9 to 5.

I come from a long line of strong women too. My grandmother’s grandmother bought up twelve children, still having time to make sure the washing was done. My own grandmother is made of strong stuff – at 91, she remains one of the best women I know. My mum has her own no-nonsense approach to most things too, as well as a winning sense of humour.

I might be biased, but I think I’m pretty fortunate to have so many kick-ass females in my life. So forgive me if I borrow these words, because I think they’re quite apt:

Here’s to strong women.

May we know them.

May we be them.

May we raise them.