As the night wound down and the laughter softened into a warm, sleepy glow, Martha looked at her friends. Their makeup was a little smudged, their hair a bit wild, but they looked more beautiful to her than they ever had at twenty. They were seasoned, spirited, and perfectly, unashamedly themselves.

"And that your couch is the new VIP lounge," Jules added, brandishing a half-empty bottle of artisanal gin like a trophy.

The doorbell chimed with a rhythmic, slightly off-beat persistence. When Martha opened it, she was met with a chorus of giggles and the unmistakable, sweet-tart scent of cheap margaritas.

They settled into Martha’s living room, a space usually curated for calm, which was quickly overtaken by kicked-off heels and the clinking of glasses. Elena, a high-powered attorney by day, was currently attempting to demonstrate a yoga pose she’d learned that morning, which resulted in her gently rolling onto the rug while laughing so hard no sound came out.

Standing on her porch were her three best friends since college—Sarah, Elena, and Jules. They were in what Elena called their "Golden Era," which usually meant they had more disposable income and less patience for uncomfortable shoes. Tonight, however, they were also decidedly tipsy.

"Remember when we used to worry about what people thought?" Sarah asked, tucked into a corner of the sofa with her legs tucked under her. "Now, I just worry if I’ve remembered to take my calcium supplement."