Exploring one of life's most valuable gifts
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 →
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 →
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 →
Years ago, I quit my job in New York City and was in the process of moving out of my apartment for a new adventure in Boston when I decided to drop everything and fly out to Los Angeles for my dear friend Steph's wedding. I had no budget for this, so fortunately I found... Continue Reading →
Can you consider a person you’ve never met to be a friend? I love to read memoirs, and I’ve encountered authors over the years who write in a way that makes me feel like I know them. At times, their words and experiences have resonated with me so deeply that I almost feel they could... Continue Reading →
I love music. All kinds of music. To the point that I am sometimes teased for how inconsistent my musical tastes are. I’m happy to listen to many genres, as they are meaningful in different ways. I’ll listen to the Oppenheimer soundtrack in the car with my older son, then arrive home to hear my... Continue Reading →
Growing up, I was an ardent baseball fan. My mom’s family were diehard Red Sox fans and my dad followed the Chicago Cubs. So, when it was time to trade in my Cubs bleacher seats for folding chairs at Little League games, I was ready. My younger son Will discovered a passion for playing baseball... Continue Reading →
What does a research study that began 85 years ago tell us about living a ‘good life?’ Apparently, quite a lot. The Harvard Study of Adult Development (HSAD or the Study), a longitudinal research study that began in 1938 and tracked more than 700 individuals for over eight decades, was structured with singular goal in... Continue Reading →
June has always been a month of celebrations in my family. My dad and two older sisters were born in June, my parents were married in June, and of course, there’s Father’s Day. Mixed in with an already busy month, my dad generally preferred if no fuss was made over him. In his mind, he... Continue Reading →
It's that time of year in New England when the daylight lasts until almost bedtime, and my local friends begin disappearing for weeks at a time to the beach. Although summer schedules mean we may not see each other in person as often as usual, one way we stay connected is through our reading. Someone... Continue Reading →
Language of Friendship 