a cowgirls best friend, by dr. Kristi coulter

a cowgirl’s best friend

D R . K R I S T I C O U L T E R E M P O W E R M E N T W O M E N

Model: Brittany Dunn, @thereal_brittanyd Photo by @halliejeanco.photo Featuring: @theheifersdressingroom @shopvelvetcactus

BUT THERE IS A SOUL SISTER THAT RISES ABOVE THE REST

I traverse several social groups and I meet many phenomenal women. I love to befriend women who are living in their God-given purpose and who live their lives out loud. Usually, I end up having a collection of strong women who become soul-sisters. Their spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical support is one I rely upon.

But, there is a soul-sister that rises above all the rest. They are cowgirl best friends. These women have wizened faces from too many hours in the sun, calloused hands from maintaining their property, dirt under the finger nails from a quick, yet loving scratching session with their trusty steed, and hearts that are deep, yet scarred from too many years of wearing it on their sleeves.

These cowgirl best friends are full of grit. They are the ones you can call at 2am (and they will pick up because God has already woken them up) to haul out horses from a nearby property that had a barn fire that resulted in total devastation.

They are the ones you call to come save you and your animals when you are broken down in the middle of the road. Their accompanying trucks are gritty enough to tow your rig and trailer full of horses up the steep canyon grade to safety. They are the ones you call at 9:45pm to see if they have a heat lamp to keep the baby lamb that you are desperately trying to save warm. They offer to be right there because, “It’s right out in the shed.”

They are women who know the importance of a good, working tractor because fox tails are straight from the devil. They cook nourishing meals that would beat 5-star chefs. The veggies are from the garden and the secret ingredient is always love. They are women who know the importance of a good, working tractor because fox tails are straight from the devil. They cook nourishing meals that would beat 5-star chefs. The veggies are from the garden and the secret ingredient is always love. They are the ones willing to spend hours yelling ‘Turn the wheel! No, the other way!’ as you learn how to back up your rig and new-to-you living quarters trailer for your Class A test.

These cowgirl best friends are the embodiment of grace. These women are the village you choose to raise your child with due to their standards and strength of character. You have sat on a patio enjoying a cup of coffee and deep belly laughs while watching the young cowgirls play around in the arena with their horses who would do anything for ‘their’ girl. They are the women who cheer on each other’s daughters as they compete against one another in horse shows, livestock jackpots, and public speaking contests. If one family forgot something essential, the daughter is able to run to the next cowgirl best friend who probably has it in 3 different colors. These cowgirl best friends are the ones you sit in the stands with at the local rodeos as the girls run sponsor flags. The cowgirl best friends pray for and cheer on each other’s daughter at the barrel race as of she were her own. Because cowgirl best friends are always there, they have seen the good, the bad, and the ugly. Yet, they extend grace and still love you and your teenage daughter.

Strong female friendships are gifts from God, but cowgirl best friendships are the closest physical representation of God’s unconditional love on the planet. I am blessed beyond measure by my cowgirl best friends and I would not be the woman I am without their grit and grace.