I have 4 kids and my best friend is childless. She supports me in ways my mom friends can't.

• I've known my best friend for 25 years now.
• Even though she doesn't have kids, she has been my rock as I navigate life as a mom.
• Chatting with her allows me to step out of my role as a mom.

"Avocado toast and a smoothie bowl?" Becca asked from the kitchen. "Sounds perfect," I replied, my nose in a book.

I'd flown alone to Los Angeles for five days — away from my husband and our three little kids at the time — to be with my best friend, who lived in Redondo Beach.

Becca and I have been in sync for over 25 years across many life stages: summers swimming as kids, high school sports and boyfriends, college, and our first professional jobs. But then I got married, had four kids, and stayed in Michigan. She moved to L.A. and now Seattle and lives with her boyfriend and their two rescue dogs.

Even though she doesn't have her own kids, she's been the best support to me as a mother.

She hosted me on a solo trip where I recharged and took a break from parenting

As soon as I took my seat on the plane, and no one was asking me for a snack or anything at all, I felt an overwhelming release of tension and exhaustion — and the flight hadn't even taken off. I read a whole book in the air, and Becca was waiting for me at the airport when I arrived: calm and warm, like the California sun, and ready to take care of me like I didn't know I needed.

For the next several days, she took me on gorgeous coastal hikes with her dogs, to swim laps in an outdoor pool, and to her local grocers for her favorite ingredients. She treated me to grain bowls, homemade pizzas in the outdoor oven, and late-night chats over red wine. She even scheduled — and generously paid for — massages and facials for us.

I felt completely refreshed for the first time since becoming a mom in her presence and care. The days with her without any kids lifted me from the fog of motherhood's signature exhaustion and constant work. I got a taste of her non-parent lifestyle, complete with doing whatever we wanted on our own schedule.

When I returned to Michigan with my family, I felt rejuvenated to be with them again, and the renewed energy lasted for months (no joke).

She crocheted adorable little stuffed animals for my kids

When I set down my bags in the guest room at her place, I found three adorable little stuffies Becca had crocheted for my kids: a narwhal, a turtle, and a dinosaur.

"A little something for you to bring back to the kids," she had written on a note.

I was so touched that she thought of my kids, made a special keepsake for them, and provided a built-in souvenir for them upon my return. Those animals are favorites around our house, and whenever I see them, a smile floats across my face.

Even though she lived on the other side of the country, she showed support when each of my kids was born. She sent huge boxes of healthy snacks — energy squares for nursing, mango slices, trail mix, and some granola bar bites for the kids. Even though she doesn't have kids of her own, she took the time to think about what would be perfect for me postpartum.

She's flexible on meet-ups, including playing at the park with my kids while we catch up

When Becca flew to Michigan to visit her parents, she offered to meet up at a location and time that would work for me and the kids. She and I caught up (or tried our best to) at a park while she pushed my daughter on the swings and played hide and seek with my boys. She didn't seem bothered when I had to pause the conversation to help an upset kid or grab another snack from the car.

It meant so much to me that she was willing to slide into my day as a mom and go along for the ride.

She talks with me about things outside motherhood

After the kids are in bed, sometimes Becca and I will chat on the phone while I take a walk. I always pepper in stories about the kids; she shows interest and empathy for whatever I'm going through. But we also chat about the books we're reading, our exercise routines, and our creative pursuits, like painting.

Conversations with my "mom friends" are essential because we have the shared life of raising kids and all the joys and difficulties that come with it. With Becca, it's a treat because I get to step out of "mom brain" and talk about other things that are central to who I am. It reminds me and encourages me to still do things for me, the other parts of me that aren't just "mom."

Becca's been my best friend since we were kids, and she's been with me through everything. Even though our life stages look different right now, I couldn't imagine anyone better to be by my side.