Exploring one of life's most valuable gifts
When I turned 30, I felt like I had reached a huge milestone and I began reflecting and evaluating where I was in life personally and professionally. I was two years out of business school and enjoying my work in Chicago at the Quaker Oats Co. Professionally, I was in a good place. On the... Continue Reading →
About two years ago, this blog featuring stories of friendship was born amidst a time of loss and isolation. In early 2021, vaccines were slowly being rolled out, but the many pandemic-related losses were still raw. Our children missed important milestones at school and our work lives were disrupted by the uncertainty and financial impact... 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 →
With gift-giving top of mind this time of year, the pressure to find the perfect gift for a friend, family member or colleague can be overwhelming. Last year around this time, Sara suggested some inspired gift ideas. One idea from that list I'd like to revisit is giving to a charitable cause. Research clearly shows... Continue Reading →
I know the holiday season is here, but I'll be honest, this is the time of year when I sometimes struggle to find joy. The days are short, with the early evenings looking like midnight, and the cultural pressure to exude holiday cheer can certainly weigh heavily on those of us who may not necessarily... Continue Reading →
I had been living in Glenview, IL, for more than a decade when I began noticing a group of about 6-8 men, likely retirees, gathering together outside my local Starbucks every morning. Even during the pandemic, when almost all group activities had either ground to a halt or shifted to zoom, these guys were sitting... Continue Reading →
You don't have be a big fan of Seinfeld to get a kick out of the show's perspective on American life in NYC, even--or especially--if you disagree with it. One of the most memorable Seinfeld episodes for me aired during the seventh season, when George was engaged to Susan. In the episode, Elaine realizes she... Continue Reading →
I recently had the opportunity to attend an event with Supreme Court Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor as the featured speaker. The crowd was largely made up of distinguished lawyers, businesspeople, and university officials. But the Justice wasn’t interested in speaking to just them. Her focus was on the small group of students in the audience.... Continue Reading →
For nearly three years, I have been self-employed and working 100% remotely, an arrangement largely driven by the pandemic. However, on Thursday I started a new job and did something that felt foreign in many ways; I went to the office. My new role is hybrid, so I’ll be onsite a couple of times a... Continue Reading →
My daughter, who is a senior in college, called me during Banned Books Week a few weeks ago and insisted that I buy a novel entitled Melissa for her 12-year-old brother. It was unusual of her to be so forcefully recommending a book for her brother, and particularly one with a feminine title. My curiosity... Continue Reading →
Language of Friendship 