hello there, friend,
yesterday while walking, i listened to a new-to-me podcast with gretchen rubin (of the happiness books) and her sister. they were discussing things research has shown make people happier. connection, of course, is one of those things. they went on to talk about something they do in their family as sisters along with their parents and that is a weekly email update. they talked about how much more connected they feel when they spend time together because they have continually been making connections with each other via email in between.
i am more than seven hours from my siblings and parents and we see each other a few times a year. i live more than two hours from my college best friends, and although we make sure to get together three to four times a year, we are not part of each other's daily lives any more.
this morning, i wrote a quick update to my college friends and to my siblings and parents with a reminder to reply all. i heard back almost immediately. it was so good to hear from each of them, to know what struggles and joys they are experiencing this week, to feel connected. i hope we can make it a weekly practice.
xo,
b