The last several months have been a whirlwind of change and uncertainty. That’s nothing new I’m telling you. You all are fully aware of the constant day-to-day upheaval. The constant questions of when we can see our friends and family or spend time with those we hold dear. Being cooped up at home has been somewhat of a nightmare for this extrovert! But I can say for certain, if it weren’t for the daily conversations with my best friend, I would have lost my sanity (whatever I have left of it that is)!
For this reason, I am grateful to celebrate National Friendship Day!
Of course, I am constantly telling my BFF how thankful I am for her. She knows that she’s been a lifesaver countless times for me. She has been my voice of reason during these crazy times we are currently living in. She has been my cheerleader through my recent life struggles. I have no idea how I would be getting through everything I am.
National Friendship Day was originally a marketing strategy for Hallmark Cards in the 1930s. Founder Joyce Hall designated the day would take place on Aug. 2 and decided it would be a day to celebrate the people closest to you (and of course, send them a card or two in the process). It soon became a bigger deal than originally planned when the 1935 U.S. Congress pronounced the first Sunday of August as National Friendship Day.
The holiday continued gaining popularity, and in 1998, the United Nations named Winnie the Pooh as the world’s Ambassador of Friendship. In 2011, during their 65th session, the U.N. designated July 30 International Friendship Day. Nowadays, we celebrate National Friendship Day on the first Sunday of August.
Thanks to technology (social media, email, texting), it is easier to get in touch with friends, to share, and to be thankful for them on a daily basis. I’m especially thankful for this as sometimes the panic of life sets in rather quickly and the ease of getting in touch with my BFF has been a blessing!
What originally started as a co-worker situation, turned into a friendship to last a lifetime.
Sure, we are different in a lot of ways, but that’s what makes it fun! We share a love of true crime (movies, TV shows, podcasts, books), and have a deep bond over our love for our families. Our children are in different stages of life (hers almost all out of the house, mine’s still in middle school), but that’s when I can turn to her for advice on the teenage years I’m now in the midst of (eek!).
There are so many things to be fearful of during this pandemic. We hear scary things every day. Questions are there at every turn, and life as we knew it, even three months ago, has forever changed. The one thing I have been able to rely on, no matter what, is the unwavering friendship I have with my best friend.
Celebrate your friends not just on National Friendship Day, but each and every day when you can!
