Spending time in nature can be refreshing, and research shows it's essential to our well-being. Beyond emotional relief, nature plays a powerful role in stress reduction and often improves overall mood. When life feels overwhelming, retreating to an outdoor space can provide refuge and a sense of connection. The Mayo Clinic Press reported last spring... Continue Reading →
More Poems About Friendship
Our first post about friendship-themed poems continues to be one of our most popular to date, so we're adding a few more to our list. We hope you enjoy them - and please add poems you like in the comments so we can build on this list of favorites! On Friendship by Kahlil Gibran--A meditation... Continue Reading →
Melanoma Awareness Month
Longer days in May are a welcome reminder that summer is almost here. For as long as I can remember, I’ve lived for my family’s annual summer trip to the beaches of Cape Cod. And in June I’m headed back to the Cape for the first time since 2022 with my now larger, blended family.... Continue Reading →
Appreciating Moms 💐
One of the most important relationships in all of our lives is with our mothers. These relationships can certainly be complicated, but there's no question that they are powerful and impactful. Julia and I have written before about our moms and also about being moms. Since today is the day for celebrating moms, we would... Continue Reading →
Surprise Guests from Sweden
Our family has been hosting an 18-year-old Swedish exchange student named Lea since she arrived back in August to begin experiencing life in the United States. She fits right in with our family and has been enjoying her year, which has been flying by. Lea quickly made close friends at the local high school in... Continue Reading →
Music and Connection
Earlier this week, I was talking with a friend who has been actively involved for years with the Washington DC-based music non-profit Sitar Arts Center, which provides otherwise unavailable access to quality music education and fosters community. My friend was simply gushing about how enriching the experience of working with this organization has been for... Continue Reading →
Small Kindnesses
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 →
Book Recommendations
Reviews on Goodreads and other book-oriented websites are always helpful when I'm trying to choose my latest reading material, but we've said it before and we'll say it again: our best source for discovering interesting and enjoyable books is always through word of mouth. Friends, family, neighbors, co-workers and other connections are great sources of... Continue Reading →
BHM: Notable Quotes
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 →
In the Deep Freeze
Here we are in the middle of winter, with much of the country experiencing extreme cold and snowy weather. Depending on your perspective, this time of year can feel bleak and isolating or cozy and invigorating. I'm trying to focus on cozy and invigorating, but that's not always easy to do with chattering teeth and... Continue Reading →