Hold a true friend with both your hands. Â Nigerian Proverb
Having close, personal friends has many benefits, including companionship and emotional support; however, staying connected with long term friends can be extremely difficult. Distance, jobs, spouses, children, and the like all sap time and energy, many times leaving friends feeling neglected. Although it may seem impossible to sustain friendships while living in today’s fast paced society, it can be done with a little time and effort. Â Try one or all of the following tips for staying connected to a special friend in your life. I guarantee your friend will appreciate knowing that you really do care.
Kind Words
A long term friend needs to know how much he or she means to you – even if you have known each other for 25 or more years! Â Take the time to write some heart felt words to your trusted friend. Â It may be a hand-written note on pretty stationery, a funny email, or a succinct text. No matter how you express your appreciation of the friendship, it will let a friend know he or she is an important part of your life. I understand that this may be easier for some to do than others, but don’t let fear stop you. Â In order to stay connected, your friend really should know you appreciate him or her!
Social Media
Social media is a great way to connect. Whether you prefer Facebook, Twitter, or another platform, it is another option for connecting. Whether through the sharing of pictures or images or voice messages, it allows you to stay up to date and part of other people’s lives. You even can buy TikTok likes to grow your presence, thus increasing your visibility and getting more followers, and making more friends naturally.
Remembering Key Dates
Another way to stay connected with valued friends is to remember key dates such as birthdays and anniversaries. Â For instance, I keep a calendar where I list my closest friends’ birthdays. Â No matter how crazy life gets, I make sure to send a card for each person’s birthday. Â I also send anniversary well wishes to my friends and their spouses. I let them know that we will celebrate when we are able to see each other in person, plus I follow through with that promise. These thoughtful gestures don’t take a lot of time or money, but they let my friends know that I DO care about what is important to them.
Connect in Person
Every two years, my close friends from high school and I make sure to connect for a mini-reunion. Although most have moved hundreds of miles away, we still make time to catch up in person. Â It may seem like a hassle to meet a friend face to face every so often, but over time, a friendship may fade if not nurtured with these types of get togethers. Â It doesn’t matter if one meets a long term friend for a quick lunch or a long weekend of shopping; what matters is that you connect in real time.
The Element of Surprise
Most people love surprises, so I will often try to surprise my long term friends. Â Recently I sent one of my best friends (and cousin) a polka dot umbrella with her name embroidered on it. Â For us it served as a reminder of a time in our lives when used to play outside in the rain together. Â She seemed to truly enjoy that surprise gift; she even took a picture of it and posted it on FB!
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