Three women from Brazil, Cambodia, and the United States might seem unlikely to share the same story, yet Rosangela Zurawel, Kunthear Mam-Douglas, and Cathy Amos have discovered that true friendship speaks a universal language—and can turn strangers into family.

Their story began through a series of introductions that now feel destined. Rosangela first met Kunthear while covering an event at Salum Restaurant for Greet UP. Through that friendship, she later met Cathy, whom Kunthear introduced to her at a Christmas event she was also covering. Kunthear, meanwhile, met Cathy through their sons’ school community. What began as casual conversations at school functions, fundraisers, and community events quickly blossomed into a deep and lasting bond.

Today, the three women affectionately call themselves the “Besties,” a title that reflects a friendship built on trust, laughter, loyalty, cooking together, and always showing up for one another. Through their daily Besties text thread, they check in on each other’s lives, celebrate victories, offer advice, and provide support whenever needed, including helping with school drop-offs and pick-ups when one of them can’t make it. In fact, they joke that nobody is allowed to disappear. If a text or phone call goes unanswered for too long, someone is sure to check in.

Rosangela says, “This is the kind of friendship you have when you’re young. They are there when you need them, and even when you ask at the last minute, ‘Let’s do something,’ they’re usually up for it and make space for you. It’s the type of friendship you had as a teenager—a friendship that feels like sisterhood.”

That sense of sisterhood extends far beyond the three of them. Over the years, they have become part of each other’s families and introduced their friends to one another, creating an even larger community of friendship. Their children are growing up together, and they often joke that they have become second aunties to one another’s kids. Whether helping with school activities, attending fundraisers, sharing recipes, dropping off meals, or simply opening their homes to each other, their friendship has become an extension of family life.

One of the memories they cherish most is a trip to Rosangela’s home in Colorado last summer. Surrounded by stunning mountain vistas, they spent time cooking outdoors, watching their children play together, sharing meals, laughing, and talking late into the evening. It was one of those rare moments when friendship and family blended seamlessly into one. This summer, they plan to reunite in Colorado to celebrate Cathy’s birthday and create even more memories together.

Their shared experiences have also been enriched by their different cultural backgrounds. Kunthear often says that food may be what connected them most deeply. She loves Cathy’s Italian cooking and Rosangela’s traditional Brazilian dishes, and they often gather around the table to share food, stories, laughter, and the occasional discussion about world events and social media. Through these moments, they have learned about one another’s traditions, families, and life experiences while discovering how much they truly have in common.

Despite their different backgrounds, all three women point to the same values as the foundation of their friendship: family, kindness, loyalty, compassion, respect, and showing up for the people you love. As Kunthear beautifully puts it, friendship is trust.Their story is a reminder that some of life’s greatest blessings arrive unexpectedly. Sometimes a magazine assignment, a school event, or a simple introduction can spark a connection that grows into something extraordinary—a friendship that crosses cultures, weaves families together, and proves that the strongest bonds are often the ones we never see coming.