That’s What Friends Are For

John: We just returned from experiencing the incredible beauty of the Pacific coast.  2200 miles of mountains, beaches, rainforests, and vineyards in 12 days.  It was wonderful to get away as a couple and do what we love most – exploring the great outdoors.  While the scenery during the first 2000 miles was simply stunning, just as memorable and refreshing was the time spent with friends over the last 200 miles.

Julie:  It’s so hard to believe it’s been more than five years since we last saw any of the three couples we visited in the latter part of our trip.  We greeted each other with open arms, and it was like we had never been apart.  We just picked right back up where we had left off.  Of course, we’re all a little older and are in a little different phase of life – empty nesters, grandparents or soon-to-be grandparents, sharing retirement dreams, helping parents, etc. – but the common threads that we had woven into each friendship were still there. The most striking thing we have in common with all of them is that we have all been married a long time, committed to our respective spouses through health, family, and work challenges. 

We had also been committed to each other in our friendships through these same challenges, encouraging and supporting each other along the way.  Even during covid, we kept in touch with Zoom and helped keep each other sane as the world around us spiraled out of control. After all, isn’t that what friends are for?

TO SUPPORT US

John: It reminded us again how important it is for us to nurture and grow our friendships with other couples who value marriage and family, even if they are on the other side of the country.  When we were going through a challenging time, these couples sent notes and emails encouraging us.  One even said how inspired they were by our commitment to each other during this time and how we handled the situation.  When one of them was diagnosed with cancer, we encouraged them as well, asking them how things were going, how test results turned out, how they and their kids were doing, etc.  

TO INSPIRE US

John:  Spending time with friends who prioritize marriage helps us to keep our own marriage a priority.   It helps us to be more aware of how we are interacting with each other.  The way our friends interact with each other with tenderness, playfulness, and affection is a great example for our own marriage.  It helps us to grow and we become a stronger couple.   Julie and I aspire to do the same for them.

TO CELEBRATE WITH US

Julie:  Whether it’s a birthday bash, a day at the beach, hanging out around a campfire in the back yard, or just the fact that we made it into the living room of friends who live a few thousand miles away, marriage is more fun when you can celebrate life with special couples who have been on the journey with you.  Laughter isn’t just good for our souls – it is good for our marriage.  And we laugh A LOT when we’re with our married friends. 😊

Who are your closest couple friends?  When did you last see them?  Do yourselves and your marriage a favor and make a date with them today! After all, that’s what friends are for.