Making New Friends Midlife

I've written about friendships that last a reason, a season or a lifetime. What do you think about making new friends midlife?

This Birthday

 

For the past several years, I dreaded my birthday, but this year was so much different...

How to Make Friends, According to Middle Schoolers

In my early 40's, I did something I didn't normally do...

Taking All Calls

On June 14, 2021 at exactly 11:53 in the morning, my friend, June, was calling me. I paused. Even though I considered her a family friend (our husbands were a lot closer than we were), she hardly ever called me. I answered her call, and I'm so glad I did because that would be the last phone conversation we would ever have...

Trying New Things

 I admit. I'm not always willing to try new things...

Three Little Birds

 

Yesterday a dear friend gifted me a beautiful delicate necklace. It had three little birds sitting on a branch...

A Friendship for a Season

I've written about friendships before, and that sometimes people come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. Today I'm remembering a friendship that lasted only a season...

Tell Me Something Good

When a friend calls or sends me a text, I love saying these words...

More of This in 2020

On a cold New Year's night, a couple of my neighbors and I, with hot cocoa in hand, strolled through a merry and bright Atlanta Botanical Garden...

My Mouth Has a Mind of Its Own

Have you ever said something really stupid and wished you could take your words back? I have...

Treasure the Moments - The Bubble Run

Initially the boys weren't so happy about an early morning race!

I truly credit this book with reminding me of something important. Do the things that make you happy, even if you're initially met with resistance (from your family!)...

Childhood Friendships

Do you remember your childhood friends? How did you meet? Are you still friends today? Yesterday, I was watching Buddy Roller play with his friends, and it got me thinking about an old friend of mine...

Pic of the Day - Dinner and Questions

I don't know about you, but I look forward to having someone else cook dinner for a change. There's just something about having good food (that I didn't make) that gets me excited. That, plus good company and thought provoking questions to mull over...

What I Want to Gain in 2016

Now that 2015 is old news, I'm looking forward to 2016 with some anticipation.  I'm not big on New Year's resolutions; here's how I feel about that.  While some people are planning to hit the gym to lose those unwanted pounds (Really? Why do you need a new year to decide to be healthy?), I'm more focused on what I want to gain this new year.

A Reason, a Season, or a Lifetime

Central Connecticut State University - CCSU

Summerour Middle School

First Small Group - Victory World Church

Windsor High School Classmates

Have you ever stopped and thought about how you met the friends in your life? What brought you together? Are the friends in your life...around for a reason? A season? Or a lifetime? Have you kept in touch with all your friends? And if not, what happened? Did circumstances pull you apart? Or did "life" happen? 

Because You're Never Too Old or Too Young...

 ...for the aquarium.  There's just something magical and wonderful about this place.

Happy Thanksgiving week!

Perfect Fall Saturday

First up.  Some quiet time with breakfast solo, and then some retail therapy. Ahhh.

Up next...fall fun at the corn maze. Even though I couldn't help but notice the "dried up" corn fields, the little ones didn't seem to mind.

Throwback Tuesday

2003

So. I was on a mad hunt this morning for my college diplomas to display in my classroom.  I'm in the midst of getting my room ready for a brand new year and a whole new batch of eager 6th graders.  It's great to display accomplishments for students, so that they can have their own aspirations and make their dreams come true.

But where had I stored my diplomas? I had to go through a couple of old boxes of some very old photos to find them, but what a discovery...

Why Parties Are Special

Birthday parties can be magical. From a child's perspective this can be unarguable. You are the center of attention, surrounded by your friends and family.  And there's food, cake, balloons...and let's not forget...birthday presents!!!  Everyone's there for you. 

From a parent's perspective, it can also be quite special. In my current stage of life, I can honestly say that besides church, I have met more people and formed more relationships by attending kids' birthday parties and get-togethers, in these last five years.  And that's because of Buddy Roller.

To be honest, I don't make it a priority to attend every party Buddy Roller is invited to. And he's invited to a lot. They're the kids from his preschool, friends from his after-care program, and then there's his kindergarten class. That's a lot of kids!  With a busy schedule and lots to do, we don't make it to a lot of parties. We make it to some if they happen to "fit" into our schedule, and of course we make the parties for our dear friends.

Yesterday we attended a party for one of Roller's classmates. It was a fun get-together, and inevitably conversations were started and connections made.  I'm not saying these relationships will last a lifetime, but it is possible.  

Over the course of the last few years, through preschool and sporting events like soccer and basketball, Roller has maintained many friendships.

And yes, friendships come and go. But sometimes, if you're lucky, they can last.  This makes me think back, more than two years ago at Roller's third birthday party. It was the first party we had for him that we had opened up the invitation pool to not only close friends and family, but for kids in his preschool class as well.

I will never forget meeting one family in particular. They were the first ones to show up at the recreation center where we were throwing Roller his "Disney Cars" themed party. Their little boy was fast asleep and Dad, who was a little bit early, volunteered to help us put the finishing touches on the celebration room.  And just like that, a friendship was formed.

Now fast forward more than two years later. We're still friends, and our boys are still getting together.

Kids' birthday parties are a way to connect and form new relationships. And that's a good thing.

I think I may need to make more of an effort and try to attend as many as I can!