Exploring one of life's most valuable gifts
It’s been over sixty years since February first became American Heart Month and since then it's become celebrated around the world. With cardiovascular diseases responsible for one in five deaths in the United States according to the CDC, creating heart healthy habits throughout our lifetimes is important. Like many things, being heart healthy can be... Continue Reading →
Friendships can develop in the most unexpected places and circumstances, proving that human connections can transcend differences. I was reminded of that on Thanksgiving when I read an article about the ‘Thanksgiving Grandma’ and the young man she met in 2016 when she mistakenly texted him, thinking she was messaging her grandson about Thanksgiving. Despite... Continue Reading →
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 →
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 →
February has long been associated with hearts. Valentine’s Day dates back centuries, with some origin stories going back as far as the 5th century. So, when former President Lyndon Johnson, a sufferer of heart disease, wanted to raise awareness about heart health, it’s fitting that he selected February to be heart month. In the fifty... Continue Reading →
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 →
Fall’s arrival in Chicago is accompanied by many traditions. It’s a time to buy fresh apples from Michigan and watch the Chicago Cubs struggle to make the playoffs. One of my favorite fall traditions is cheering on the thousands of runners at the Chicago Marathon. This October marks the 46th running of the Chicago... Continue Reading →
By now, everyone seems to have heard the message about how important exercise is for our mental and physical well-being. But knowing it and doing it are two different things. One of the best ways I've found to maintain a fitness routine is to find a type of exercise I enjoy doing and then get... Continue Reading →
Friendship deserves to be cherished and enjoyed. That’s something we encourage you to do every day. But sometimes you reach an important milestone with a friend, and it becomes time for a special celebration. This is one of those moments for us, as this is the Language of Friendship’s 100th Post! We started this blog... Continue Reading →
I met my friend Patrick Riccards in 2006 when we were both working for Lipman Hearne, a boutique marketing firm serving mission-driven organizations. We had different areas of expertise, yet collaborated on a handful of client accounts. I've cultivated many workplace friendships over the years, each an opportunity to learn and grow. Patrick approached challenges... Continue Reading →
Language of Friendship 