To Friendship!

This past weekend, I was in Nashville, TN with my best friend, Melissa. We met in college and have been besties ever since. She lives outside Atlanta with her husband and four kids. I live in NYC with my daughter and our dog. So Nashville seemed a good meeting point in between our homes. Full disclosure: The Mixed Tape Tour (a 1990s bands tour) is playing in Nashville which is why this is our meeting point.

Melissa and I met our first year of college in a grief support group. She was mourning the loss of her beloved grandfather and I was mourning the loss of my father. We have been there for each other ever since.

Friendships are so important to our mental well-being. “Friends can help you celebrate good times and provide support during bad times. Friends prevent isolation and loneliness and give you a chance to offer needed companionship, too. Friends can also: Increase your sense of belonging and purpose.” — Mayo Clinic

As the wedding vows say, “For better or worse, in sickness and in health…” and this applies to friendships. A wise person once said to me that you know your true friends by the ones that man the sails when your waters (life) get rough and the ones who find a lifeboat and bail. Very true!

Friends can help you in all sorts of ways from giving you a shoulder to cry on, laughing at your jokes, and holding you accountable to your goals.

“One possible explanation for those health benefits is that friendships can help you make lifestyle changes that can have a direct impact on your well-being. For example, your friends can help you set and maintain goals to eat better and exercise more.4 They can also watch out for you and give a heads-up when any unhealthy behaviors (like drinking too much) get out of hand.” — Arlin Cuncic, VeryWell Mind

Now throw into the mix the pandemic of the last two years that is still going strong. Seeing our friends was impossible for a time unless we did FaceTime, Zoom, or Skype. But maintaining our friendships was even more important. I called and zoomed with friends, just to keep the connection going. And now, I am seeing my bestie in person. YEAH! “Maintaining positive relationships should rank up there with healthy eating and exercise as a necessary investment in your health. Not only is spending time with friends fun but it also yields a multitude of long-term physical and emotional health benefits.” — Moira Lawler, Everyday Health

So, the next time you connect with a friend, remind him/her that you don’t care if his/her hair is done or he/she is still in PJs, all you care about is connecting.