Community Stories: The Enduring Lessons of Friendship

Written by our Founder and Chairman, the Celebrations Pulse letters aim to engage with our community. By welcoming your ideas and sharing your stories, we want to help you strengthen your relationships with the most important people in your life.

It’s no secret that friendships come in all shapes and sizes. They can be sparked at any point in life, from a classroom or playground to an office hallway or even a hospital bed. Once established, they can strengthen (or go south) in an infinite number of ways.

Despite all the variations, the impact of friendship is remarkably consistent: It offers us comfort and a sense of meaning. It reminds us that we are valued and never truly alone, even during the most difficult times. Friendship makes life worth living.

I dedicated each Celebrations Pulse letter in July to a different aspect of friendship. We talked about why friends are important, the power of friendship circles, and how its joy is depicted in art. I also asked the community to share stories about friendship.

The response was overwhelming in the best possible way. While I can’t include every submission, I wanted to highlight a few that stayed with me. They’re reminders of how friendship in its many forms can surprise and sustain us.

A first step to friendship

I’ll begin with a story about a friendship that blossomed later in life. It offers proof that it’s never too late to make a connection. It’s also a reminder that stepping outside your comfort zone can open the door to something special.

A few years ago, Robert and his wife were looking for a personal trainer. The search dragged on without much luck, then they finally met someone who not only helped them get healthier but also became a friend.

“He’s 30 years younger than I am,” Robert shared, “but we’ve created a space where we can talk openly about anything. We now consider each other best friends.” Over time, the friendship has expanded to include the trainer’s girlfriend and her friends.

Robert’s message is worth remembering for everyone who thinks their days of making new friends are behind them. “Sometimes you have to take a chance, do something different, and push yourself to meet new people,” he says.

The challenge of staying connected

Another story highlights the importance of persistence in maintaining connections. You don’t always get an immediate response, but as Corinne reminds us, the effort is still worth it.

Living alone as a senior, Corinne has developed a simple ritual for staying connected: Each week, she mails handmade cards to friends and family. “They don’t always write back right away,” she says, “but they eventually connect and tell me how much the cards meant to them.”

This small gesture has helped Corinne keep her relationships strong, even across distance and time. Now, she’s saving up to visit some of those friends in person.

“Life sometimes puts a response on the back burner,” she says. “But they are always glad to hear from me.”

Other friendship rituals

Many community members shared the rituals that help them stay connected to their friends. These routines can be as simple as sending a card like Corinne, setting up a regular lunch date, or meeting up to partake in a shared hobby. What matters is the consistency and intention behind the effort.

For Esther, creativity has always been the foundation of her friendships. Over the years, she’s connected with others through ceramics, sewing, flower arranging, scrapbooking, and cardmaking. Today, she continues that tradition by donating handmade cards to seniors in her church and through Meals on Wheels, and by teaching art and jewelry-making classes over Zoom. As she says:

“Art and friends together enhance a person's experiences in life. Having friends is essential to good mental condition and satisfaction of life.”

Others told me about standing traditions that have spanned decades. Linda, for instance, has been meeting with the same group of 12 women for lunch every second Tuesday — for 25 years. The group originally bonded through their work in TV and radio, and over the years, they’ve celebrated births and supported one another through illnesses and losses.

“We share lunch, work memories, family updates, and bring birthday cards for the birthday girls,” Linda writes. “One member makes homemade brownies for the birthdays. I’ve shared Cheryl’s Cookies with them in Valentine’s and Christmas goodie bags!”

Music also plays a role in maintaining friendships. Chuck wrote to share a memory of his friend Dave, with whom he shared a love of music, especially the song “Can’t You See” by The Marshall Tucker Band. They used to listen to it nonstop while hanging out together. After Dave passed away, Chuck drove to Detroit for the funeral with that very song playing on repeat.

“Now,” Chuck says, “whenever it comes on, I crank it up and remember my friend.”

The persistence of friendships

Many of your stories revealed the lasting power of friendship. Carla told me about her circle of friends who first met in kindergarten back in 1967. Over 50 years, they’ve never missed a birthday or another chance to support each other.

Others highlighted how today’s world is reshaping the way we form and maintain friendships. Seth shared a concern about his adult children who work remotely and interact with colleagues over video calls. He worries they’re missing out on the spontaneous hallway conversations that once sparked lasting workplace bonds.

His note is a good reminder: As the world changes, we may need to be more intentional about creating the kinds of connections that used to happen by accident.

Cindy’s note beautifully captures the essence of friendship and why it’s so important to nurture those bonds. She wrote about supporting her friends through cancer treatments and reflected on how those experiences, though difficult, deeply shaped her. As she wrote:

“One always receives more than one gives.”

It’s a simple truth that speaks volumes about the power of friendship.

I hope you found these stories as inspiring as I do and I encourage you to use your power by taking a chance, reaching out to new people, and reconnecting with old friends.

All the best,

Jim