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 →
Making Beautiful Memories Together
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 →
Mother’s Day 🌸
Today is the day of the year designated for celebrating moms and mother figures. I've written before about how the day can elicit the range of emotions, and Julia and I both have recognized the value our own cherished moms have brought into our lives. My mother is a walking miracle. --Leonardo DiCaprio However you... Continue Reading →
Tea for 80
My mom turned 80 this past week, and she knew exactly how she wanted to celebrate. She organized a luncheon with a few of her local friends at an adorable tea house not far from where she now lives with my dad on beautiful Cape Cod. Although she has not lived on the Cape for... Continue Reading →
A Legacy of Love and Friendship
A year well lived. Those words graced the front of the 2023 holiday card that my mom sent to dozens of friends and family members late last year. My mom, Wilma, always loved sending and receiving holiday cards and embraced the trend of cards filled with family photos and an update on the family milestones.... Continue Reading →
Friendship Resolutions
January has become one of my favorite months. The frenetic pace and stress of the holidays has ended and the days are finally starting to lengthen, if just a bit. It’s also time for fresh starts. I’ve found that when I view January with a sense of possibility, it allows me to prioritize what I... Continue Reading →
Remembering Friendship
Last weekend I flew from Chicago to Washington, DC, for a 36-hour visit with family. Some might find quick trips like this one to be stressful, but it felt restorative for me. I spent time with my mom and younger siblings, and I returned to a place that still feels like home. Although my family... Continue Reading →
Birthday Wishes
While November signals the start of the holiday season for most people, here at Language of Friendship, we tend to think of November as birthday season. Sara shared last year that our LOF editorial team, and even her dog Winnie, all have birthdays within the same week! And despite how busy life gets, birthdays provide... Continue Reading →
Friendship Hacks
When Sara and I launched this blog in early 2021, pandemic-disrupted friendships and everyday connections fueled our desire to write about the importance of friendship. Nearly three years later, life has mostly returned to ‘normal.’ While normal enables us to gather in person and hop on airplanes to celebrate milestones, normal can also be very... Continue Reading →
Games Galore
My favorite two board games when I was a kid were Battleship and Clue. I’d play either one with anyone who was willing to join me. Both games encouraged not only logical reasoning skills, but they also involved imagination and conversation among players. As a parent, I taught my kids to play Battleship and Clue.... Continue Reading →