The Value of Friendships

As I prepare for my 50th high school reunion, I’ve been reminded of just how much I value my friendships—both the ones that have lasted through the decades and the ones I’ve formed more recently. There’s something profoundly grounding about walking back into a space filled with people who knew me long before life’s layers of jobs, families, and experiences were added. These connections remind me that while we’ve each taken different paths, we share a history that can never be replaced.

When I think about friendship, certain words come to mind: trust, loyalty, laughter, support, compassion, forgiveness, and understanding. These aren’t just abstract qualities; they’re the threads that hold relationships together through time and change. Friendships carry the stories of who we were, while also celebrating who we’ve become.

Part of valuing friendship is learning how to show appreciation. Sometimes it’s as simple as telling someone, “I’m glad you’re in my life.” Other times it’s showing up—listening when a friend needs to talk, or celebrating milestones, big or small. Appreciation can be directed at the individual—acknowledging the unique role each friend plays in my life—or at the collective, like a reunion, where the group experience reminds us of a shared journey.

As I think about the faces I’ll see at my reunion, I feel grateful. Grateful for the memories, for the lessons we shared, and for the gift of still being able to gather together. Friendships, whether old or new, are treasures that remind me that I am part of something larger than myself. They shape not only who I was but who I continue to be.