Exploring one of life's most valuable gifts
The longer days and warmer weather of the summer season offer many opportunities to create new memories with friends. Sara and I have written before about this treasured time of year when we can spend more time outdoors with friends, bringing us closer to nature and each other. Whether it’s a leisurely walk through the... Continue Reading →
Father’s Day is this weekend, an annual celebration of the dads and father figures who shape our lives. There are many ways to recognize the everyday heroes who quietly helped raise us, and then guide us through adulthood. For me and Sara, we’ve shared in our writing the impact our own dads have on our... Continue Reading →
Watching my 17-year-old son John prepare for his upcoming trip to live with a host family in Germany this summer fills me with complex emotions. I am incredibly proud of him, seeing him embrace this new adventure. But I am also a bit anxious, a natural concern for his well-being so far from home. With... Continue Reading →
May is always a big month for celebrating milestones, such as college graduations and the unofficial start of summer. Now, it also will be the anniversary month for me and my new husband, Mark! Last weekend, Mark and I got married in a small ceremony witnessed by our families and a few dear friends. Keeping... Continue Reading →
Global Volunteer Month officially ends this week with the end of April, but making time for volunteering is important any time of year. It is also a great way to establish connections and make new friends. Nonprofit organizations often work with limited resources, so giving your time or talents can make a real impact. At... Continue Reading →
Women's sports are having a moment. Along with over 14 million people, I witnessed Iowa’s victory over UConn in the recent Women's NCAA Final Four tournament. It was the most-watched women’s basketball game of all time and the largest audience ever for an ESPN basketball broadcast. As the daughter of a proud Iowa alum, it... Continue Reading →
In honor of this final day of Women’s History Month in 2024, I would like to share more of our friendship history; a history of two women that spans more than four decades and relocations to new states and a different country. People are sometimes surprised that the friendship between me and Sara has not... Continue Reading →
When life gets busy, it can be hard to pause and find joy in the small things. It’s easy to assume that something new will bring us happiness, but as Sara wrote in an earlier post, more stuff doesn’t lead to happiness or fulfillment. And we’ve all experienced how the glow that comes from a... Continue Reading →
Moving to a new city is never easy, especially when it involves long distance. Leaving behind friends and familiar surroundings can trigger heavy feelings of loss, and navigating the magnitude of change involved with a relocation can be difficult for anyone. Yet, I have watched one of my longtime friends gracefully manage big moves multiple... Continue Reading →
Today is Random Acts of Kindness Day, a national holiday started nearly 30 years ago to recognize and encourage expressions of kindness towards others. Scientific research backs up the value of kindness to both the person spreading it and the recipient, with an article from the fall of 2022 illustrating how meaningful randoms acts of... Continue Reading →
Language of Friendship 