Maintaining positive relationships in life affects our mental and physical health. Were you aware that the weekly catch-up conversations you’ve been having with your best friend brings more meaning into your life? So, the big question is: How do relationships begin and continue over time? In the first of our three-part series on relationships, we interviewed this Louisville local to share her inspiring story. See how relationships not only contribute to your happiness, but they also boost your feelings of joy with the most important person in your life—yourself.
Part 1: Friendship
In the midst of COVID, Louisville resident, Lucy Pritchett, was searching for online meditation groups. “On a lark, I Googled, ‘meditation meetings in California,’” Lucy says. Having previously lived along California’s central coast, she thought it might be fun to reconnect with residents there. Lucy found a promising group, and when she logged on, she discovered a delightfully welcoming crew. “I think they were intrigued—especially with how I pronounced ‘Louisville,’” Lucy says. One woman was particularly friendly, and Lucy remembers, “She and I had a nice little chat, and we exchanged phone numbers.” And that’s how Lucy’s new long-distance friendship began.
“Melissa and I have remained in touch almost every day since we met,” Lucy begins, “we text almost every day.” Lucy admits their friendly Wordle competition helps these daily check-ins, but it’s their many shared interests that keep them close. “We’re about the same age, and we love word games and word puzzles. And, you know, we love to read,” says Lucy. Sharing common interests in a friendship can deepen your conversations leading to more enjoyable times spent together. Lucy says shared interests, and the fact they both have friendly outgoing attitudes, keep them connected in spite of the 2,238 miles between them.
When describing their friendship, Lucy says she and Melissa laugh a lot. “We don’t take things too seriously.” And Lucy remarks that she learns a great deal from her friend during their talks. Whether it’s about world news or pop culture, her long-distance bestie has her covered. Put all of these friendship fun facts together, and it’s here that happiness levels rise and their friendship continues to evolve.
Lucy says the relationship has definitely deepened over time. So much so that when Melissa recently invited her to California for a visit, Lucy accepted. Their first in-person meeting was easy and familiar and Lucy even stayed with Melissa in her home for a few days. “I called her my social secretary. She arranged a luncheon with four or five other women that were in our meditation group,” Lucy says. Then they toured some of the sights of California’s central coast together. “We’ve known each other for so long now, it was nice to see her,” Lucy says.
Research suggests that making new friends as an adult can be tough, and Lucy adds that after a certain age, it’s hard because you kind of get settled. However, new friendships can be just as rewarding as long-standing ones when you open yourself up to the possibility—or Google search. “Melissa and I just connected. That’s just all I can say about that.”
By Tonilyn Hornung
P.S. Check out this article on creating new friendships.
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