In 1935 June 8th was declared National Best Friends Day by Congress. An article I read suggested summer was picked so people could easily get together to celebrate. One of the activities suggested was getting together for picnics. That sounds lovely but your best friends may not live near you. People don’t necessarily stay in one place in this century. Young adults leave home for school and never return. People can be transferred or choose to move for a better job. Retirees move from a home of many years to be closer to their kids and grandbabies. Moving gives us opportunities to widen our circle of best friends. Some can be near our new home and others may live on the other side of the country.
Tecnology Now and Then
We have technology choices not available in 1935. People didn’t have a phone in their pocket. The convenience of texting and emailing were unheard of. If you were lucky to have a phone, they were often a party line. That meant sharing one line among several households, not just your family members!
My Mom was a teenager in the 1930’s. She shared with me something my Nana did, and it intrigued me even then. I don’t know how it started but it tied together a group that were friends in different states. They created stronger chains of friendship via mail. They would start greeting cards and circulate photos. Comments would be written on the back. The items would eventually be returned, via mail, to the original sender. They found a way to keep track of the events in each other’s lives.
Expanding the Circle
Different periods of our lives bring new circles of friends. Some become memorable, impactful and are considered best. My circle of friends increased in my 40’s when I became a Sweet Adeline. I instantly had 50 new women in my life to connect with.
When I discovered this friendship celebration date, I was preparing for a trip to visit relatives in Florida. I would need to travel to both the west and east coasts of the state. I reached out and arranged to take a path that was not the quickest between the two points, but it led me to an old friend who is one of my best. We were part of a quartet singing barbershop harmony in New Jersey.
We hadn’t used modern methods to stay connected. We did it the old-fashioned way, via mail. Two times a year, on our birthdays and on Christmas we send a card. But from that address I knew she lived in Florida, and I reached out by text to plan our reunion. I was able to arrange a visit. It was short but so much fun. Visit my Facebook to see pictures of our visit.
Stay Connected
Whether we live close or far as National Best Friend Day approaches, pause to think about those special people in your life. Then plan and contact them. Let them know you care and are grateful for their friendship. Nurturing friendships has benefits for both of you. Sharing laughs about past experiences relaxes us, increasing happiness and reducing anxieties.
If you have their address but can’t visit how about a handwritten note or a special card? It’s always fun to receive happy mail. Visit my Etsy store: Paper Crafted Bliss to see my current selection. There is added value to taking time to select the perfect sentiment or order blank to write your personalized one. It becomes a keepsake that is a tangible reminder of your bond. And keep the conversations going. Don’t wait a full year. Use any of the forms of staying connected mentioned in this blog. Don’t rely exclusively on one. Happy connecting!
Paper Crafted Bliss 