Exploring one of life's most valuable gifts
This month marks three years since Julia and I started this blog to explore topics related to friendship. So far, we've produced about 160 posts, a few of which have been republished by other outlets and one of which went viral. We have made a few podcast episodes and conducted one original survey. Our viewers... Continue Reading →
Today is Random Acts of Kindness Day, a national holiday started nearly 30 years ago to recognize and encourage expressions of kindness towards others. Scientific research backs up the value of kindness to both the person spreading it and the recipient, with an article from the fall of 2022 illustrating how meaningful randoms acts of... Continue Reading →
this month I wanted to honor the work of my friend Kristi Williams in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Kristi is the founder of an organization called Black History Saturdays, which aims to supplement the education of black children in her community. Black history is American history; they're completely intertwined. Morgan Freeman I met Kristi last month when... 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 →
Enjoying a delicious meal with a friend is not merely one of life's great pleasures; it can also be an important outlet for reducing stress, fostering social connection and making heathier food choices. According to a recent survey by the American Heart Association, 67% of respondents reported that eating with others reminded them how important... Continue Reading →
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 →
Photos of the New Year's Eve party at Oprah Winfrey's house have been showing up all over the Internet in the past few weeks, and of course Gayle King appeared in many of them. The well-documented friendship between these two world-famous women has thrived over the decades. In one of our earliest LOF posts, I... 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 →
On this last day of 2023, The Language of Friendship team would like to thank you for exploring friendship with us. Whether you've liked or commented on our posts, or even just quietly enjoyed them, we appreciate your companionship and look forward to continuing our journey with you. As we look ahead to 2024, we... Continue Reading →
One of my favorite holiday traditions in Chicago is visiting the Christmas Around the World and Holiday of Lights exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry. When my boys were young, we’d bring them to see the dozens of Christmas trees decorated to represent cultures around the world. While we loved seeing all of the trees, we’d... Continue Reading →
Language of Friendship 