Exploring one of life's most valuable gifts
Greetings from East Tennessee! I’m here with my husband relaxing, taking in the views and vistas of the Great Smokey Mountains. I hadn’t been here since I was a kid, but the mountains are every bit as spectacular as I remember. As you know from her post last week, Julia enjoyed her annual visit to... Continue Reading →
As the 4th of July approaches, it's a great reminder to make the most of longer summer days with family and friends. Growing up my summertime highlight was my family's annual trip to Cape Cod. I loved visiting so much, I decided to work there summers during college, and as an adult resumed visiting the... Continue Reading →
April 23 is World Book Day, an opportunity to reflect on the transformative power of stories. We’ve shared book recommendations in past blog posts, and in honor of World Book Day, we’d like to share a few good reads about friendships that transcend geography, generations, and even species. We invite you to join us this... Continue Reading →
Since last spring I’ve been helping my 18-year-old son navigate the college admissions journey. In many ways, I’m better equipped than most parents since I’ve worked for and with universities, so I know a lot about the vagaries of the admissions process. However, those same qualifications created a bit of hubris in the approach I... Continue Reading →
In the rush of everyday life, interactions with others are often brief, and pass without much notice. Or the people around us become a source of frustration, causing us to think, “Why can’t they drive faster so I could have made that light?” or “Why is that person in front of me in the express... Continue Reading →
February and love have been closely linked for nearly 2,000 years. In the 1960s we started recognizing February as American Heart Month, and in recent decades, libraries jumped on the theme of the month, declaring February 'Library Lovers Month'. I discovered this lesser-known milestone on a recent visit to my town’s public library. As I... Continue Reading →
In honor of February's Black History Month observance, Language of Friendship has compiled several quotes from black leaders and artists who inspire us. We hope you'll add to the collection in the comments below! My humanity is bound up in yours, for we can only be human together. --Desmond Tutu If you find it in... Continue Reading →
October 7, 2023, was a devastating day, kicking off a protracted war in the Middle East, with 251 people taken captive by Hamas. People around the world have been praying for the safe return of the hostages and a resolution to the violent conflict. The January 2025 cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hamas has led... Continue Reading →
Marriage is a journey that not everyone makes, and the trip isn’t always easy. But the foundation for most successful marriages is a durable friendship between partners that can strengthen the physical and emotional bond. When a couple manages to stay married for 50 years, friendship has likely taken on many forms and deepened in... Continue Reading →
California dreaming turned nightmarish this week as wildfires roared unabated through Los Angeles County. Entire communities that were thriving and beautiful just days ago have been reduced to ashes. My talented LA-based friend and artist Zoe created the illustration above and penned a powerful letter to the fire to convey her feeling of living with... Continue Reading →
Language of Friendship 