Sisters by Choice: Ten Years, Ten Women, One Bond

By Milton Kirby | Atlanta, GA | January 27, 2026

Laughter spilled out of the room before the door ever opened. Plates clinked. Voices overlapped. Someone called out a name, and there were cheers. It was a December gathering, hosted just days after Christmas, and it looked like joy – easy, practiced, and familiar.

Tammy was the first to arrive, carrying a three-tier hors d’oeuvre tray. It was intentional. She had another family event to attend and wanted to be sure she was present and did not miss too much. On that particular day, Trakita, Candy’s cousin, was the last to arrive. No one would say that was her MO. They did agree that she is always vibrant and lively, to put it mildly

This December gathering was not a reunion. It was a ritual.

For ten years, ten women have shown up for one another, again and again, across birthdays, trips, losses, and life’s turning points. In a time when friendships often fade under the weight of schedules and responsibilities, their bond has only grown stronger.

How It Started

It began simply, with Candy. She invited a small circle of women Erica F. and Erica B. she met through real estate, and Tamela then there was Tammy. They shared work, shared ambition, and shared conversations that stretched beyond business.

An invitation to Tracey led to another. Erica F. invited her mother, Angie. Steady and wise, Angie naturally became the group’s matriarch.

Kim joined through an invitation that felt almost inevitable. LaToya, “the go-to-girl, for all things finance,” rounded out the circle. Melody (Jaz), the youngest, was welcomed with a unanimous nod.

What could have become a loose association became something deliberate instead. They decided early on that everyone mattered, and no one would be left out.

The Rituals That Hold Them Together

Birthdays are sacred. Every woman, every birthday, is celebrated. No exceptions.

Then came the trips vacations. Miami stands out as a recent highlight. Sun, shared rooms, tight schedules, and plenty of laughter were the order of the week.

Traveling together revealed quirks and differences that everyday gatherings never expose. Some moments tested patience. Others deepened trust. A few friendships shifted. Some grew even closer.

Holidays became another anchor. Christmas gatherings. New Year’s plans. Rotating hosts. Group chats that never quite go silent. Showing up became the discipline that kept the circle intact.

Then there is Sunday Funday, hosted by Erica F. It is a bonding experience where laughter comes easily, and sometimes a football game breaks out.

The Glue

Ask what keeps them together, and the answer comes back quickly and without hesitation: “I know these ladies have my back.”

Trust is the foundation. They bring work problems to the group and leave with clarity. They talk through issues at home. They argue, but they do not abandon one another.

Candy recalls the moment she truly understood the depth of the bond when she lost her mother subsequently lost a sister, and brother.

The group did not just send messages, came. They brought food. They filled empty chairs. They offered shoulders to lean on and, when words were unnecessary, they sat in silence.

“That’s when the love really came out,” she said. “In ways I never imagined.”

A Chosen Family

The women represent every season of life: married, single, widowed, cohabitating, and searching. Every category is covered. What unites them is not circumstance, but intention.

Each of these ladies is self-made. Each brings something different to the table. And together, they form what many of them now call family.

Their confidence has grown because they belong to something steady. Their resilience is stronger because they do not face life alone.

Why It Matters

Their story speaks to something larger than ten women in one room. In an age of isolation, their circle is a reminder of the human need for community.

Women’s circles, formal and informal, have existed across cultures and generations, offering support, wisdom, and survival.

Their lesson is simple but powerful: friendships do not last by accident. They last because people choose them.

Looking Ahead

As the December gathering wound down, the ladies pulled their coats on, and hugs lingered a little longer than necessary. Talk turned to what comes next: another birthday, another trip, another holiday together.

“This is for life,” one woman said quietly.

Ten years in, the sisters by choice aren’t just surviving. They are thriving and already building the next chapter.

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