Girlfriends.

Why are girlfriends so great? Seriously, my girlfriends are the best. I know it’s cliché but girl time is the greatest thing ever.  

I’ve been really blessed for the past year being able to hang out with some awesome chics who I absolutely adore. It has occurred to me that there’s literally nothing we could do together that wouldn’t be a total blast. Example: I’m an ex-karaoke-hater. I’ve been dragged to karaoke for years by various people, always happy to oblige because I’m cool with hanging out wherever. But these girls made it so fun I actually started to enjoy it. (Shhh, don’t tell anyone.) I love singing with them. I love dancing with them. I love acting like a crazy person and cheating on my diet with them. I’m not ashamed to admit it – I have a girl crush. Well, several, actually. I have the most amazing friends ever.

But why is it SO great? Why is “girl time” so invaluable? Sure, I’ve had relationships in which I was comfortable telling the person everything. I’ve dated my “best friend.” Even so, nothing can replace going out with the girls. What is it that makes me feel that “ohmygoshthisisthebesttimeeverrr” moment every time we get together?

Well, for starters, because women show their emotions. Regardless of whether they’re justified, a woman’s feelings are sacred. Sharing them is like bearing your soul, no matter how small the emotion. It feels good to exhibit that dramatic side when I need to, or that over-reactive side, or that side that needs more attention than one person should have once in a while. And then we all join in and it feels totally normal. And I love it. I can cry as much as I need to (even when I’m not PMS-ing), and let me tell you, there’s nothing in this world like a long hug from your bestie. Because she inevitably smells good.

Because we gather self-esteem in the same way. Granted, we have varying degrees of self-esteem needs, but put us all in heels and a mini skirt on a good hair day and I guarantee you we’ll all reap the confidence booster the same. Interestingly enough though, I find that my self-confidence is more cultivated by my girls than by my own boyfriend. My ladies make me feel like a diva, even when my mascara’s running.

Because we all have some element of superficiality – and that’s okay. ‘Cause we’re women. And we can rein each other in when it’s necessary and say, “Hey, you’re being a *&%#@. Shut it down.”

Because we like to share. How many guys go to the bathroom and borrow the crucial toiletries from each other last-minute at the club? How many guys say, yeah dude, you can wear those pants? Seriously. What good is carrying black eyeliner if your girlfriend doesn’t need any Thursday night?

 Because we know how to keep secrets (well, some of us do). There’s no middle ground here. There’s no better way to measure friendship than one’s ability to lock something in the vault. I’ve been friends with plenty of girls who like to start drama, who enjoy sharing private information just for fun. And then I’ve had friends who I’d trust with my deepest and darkest. I can do anything, say anything, be anyone – and if those things are between just us girls, then so be it. It’s in the vault and there’s nothing else to be said (except, “Girl, of course. You know I’ll take it to the grave”).

Because it’s okay to be late when we’re getting together.

Because when we get together we suddenly feel like the sexiest women on the planet, even in sweats and a bad haircut.

Because a glass of wine with girlfriends goes a long way.

Because 4 a.m. isn’t too late to get home when you’re making sure your girls are home safely.

Because a girlfriend will hold your hand when you’re tipsy and you wore your platforms.

Because a true girlfriend will tell you, “Yes, that outfit is hideous. I can see your belly-roll. Wear this instead.”

Because blaring Mariah from the early 90s on the way downtown turns in to an in-car concert. Every time.

And because, most of all, we share a common and unbreakable bond – the little things make us happy. A compliment from the bartender, a kiss on the cheek, extra olives in a martini, a card in the mail, a flower on a desk, a dinner made, a sweet text, a great facebook picture, a good shave, a short period, a perfectly-baked cookie, the laugh of a toddler, the sprout of a plant in a first-time garden – it doesn’t take much. And we can go on about it forever. <3

To my girls: I love you. I can’t live without you. You are my family and more and I’m so lucky to have you in my lives. Don’t ever change – you’re all perfect, you’re all my favorite, and you’re the best besties a girl could have.

Speaking of crab...

Some co-workers and I were discussing crabcakes the other day. And when I crave beer, it's inevitable that the craving for crabcakes comes along. I could go for one right now. So... What's the best crabcake you've ever had?

I actually had to name three. No, it wasn't Box Hill - I've had theirs once and it was pretty good. I wouldn't turn it down, anyway. I've also never had Phillip's (I've heard theirs is great), but I'm very curious to check it out. I'm not gonna lie, I'm a bit of a crabcake snob, so here's my take.

Top 3 Crabcakes:

#3 - Catches, Middle River.
No, I didn't mistype. It's that restaurant on 40, with the big bar and giant projector screen hovering over a karaoke stage. It was my first time there, and my friend had ordered a salad with medium-rare tuna. When it came out it smelled so bad I felt naseous. I almost immediately wrote the place off, but when my crabcake came out, I figured I'd give 'em one last chance. It was excellent. I'm not a big fan of any kind of filler, and thankfully theirs was minimal. Even so, it actually added to the dish - I feel like most fillers take away from crab taste, but this one was perfectly complementary. Almost like a light imperial sauce or something. Whatever it was, I said bravo. I finished the whole gargantuan cake - and left wanting more. Best crabcake I've had in Maryland, hands down.

#2 - Del Frisco's, Manhattan.
Del Frisco's is good at a lot of things. Making you feel like a high-end food critic is one of them, if for no other reason that the fact that everything they serve is outsanding. The quality of the steak is a dream. But what better way to start an amazing steak dinner than with a little "surf"? I'd like to know how it's possible to serve a cake with lumps that size without it falling apart on the plate. Seriously, they were huge - and impeccably juicy. There was LITERALLY not a trace of filler or egg white or any of the above. I marveled at the sheer construction. Needless to say, with minimal extras, this cake was extremely impressive. They do serve the cake with a cajun lobster sauce on the side, which was also excellent, although it had a bit too much of a bite for my taste. Either way, delicious. Aaaand... drumroll, please?...

#1 - The Washington Inn, Cape May.
Although the lumps aren't as big as Del Frisco's, they're a decent size - but what makes this cake stand out above the rest is the prep. Like I've already said, I don't love a bunch of extras. But these guys take it to a whole new level. The (extremely light) breading cooks into a crisp, outer layer that seals in every tiny morsel of flavor. The crab is just barely seasoned, allowing the choicest bites to shout, "CRAB!" The key, however, is in the roasted red peppers. Even more than Old Bay or Malt Vinegar, roasted red peppers pair with crabmeat like Will Smith and Jada. It's like the gold medal of the flavor olympics. Not only are there a few right inside the cake, but they serve it with a roasted red pepper cream sauce that I could bathe in (as long as I could simultaneously eat it). I've said too much - if I didn't have to work tomorrow I would literally drive to Jersey right now.

I've started to use red bell peppers in my homemade cakes, too - haven't mastered the sauce yet, but the cakes themselves are fabulous with the diced peppers. I've also found that the Culinary Reserve brand (Super Lump) is worth the 20 bucks a can - it's huge, it's juicy, and I couldn't find a shell in there if I tried.

*sigh* I realllly want a crabcake now...