5 tips on how to stay connected to friends

Friendships are complicated stories of love, laughter and tears. How do we keep them, honor them and make them last? If you have at least one best friend, consider yourself lucky. The one who knows your past heart aches, your greatest joys and your biggest fears. The one who knows if your heart is racing without you uttering a single word. She is the one you chose over and over again.

If you ask most of my friends they would probably consider me a "professional friend maker". I have always been drawn to people and luckily (most of them) feel the same way about me. Friends make everything better!!!!

---

1. Show appreciation. Sometimes we forget to show gratitude. Pick up the phone and thank him/her for being a good friend. Over the years we can slip into a routine and take friendships for granted.

2. Engage in acts of kindness. When I'm out shopping, if I see something that would make a friend happy - I grab it. It could be something as small as a candy bar, but the message says "I thought about you". Acts of kindness don't have to be grand...they just have to happen.

3. Make Plans Right Now. We are all busy and sometimes it hard to pin down a date and time. Sometimes you have to pick up the phone and ask if they can do something 'right now' instead of weeks away. It's an unexpected treat for you both.

4. Pick up the phone. This is especially important if you and your friends no longer live close by. It can feel odd to pick up the phone and call because you imagine him/her busy. The first step is to just pick up the phone and dedicate 5 minutes to just catching up, hearing his/her voice. I find the best times to call my friends is when I'm in the car running errands.

5. Meaningful hangouts. I love hosting gatherings with my friends. Everyone brings an open mind and a willingness to meet other women. After some good food and wine we all sit and we share stories. It creates a sense of community. It's intimate, transparent and fun. There's just something about a room full of my friends that makes my heart smile.

How do you stay connected to your friends, and...

My favorite friendship book.

-Always grateful,

lynn