My family piled in the car on July 3rd and traveled about 4 hours to Lake Winnepesaukee, New Hampshire. We packed snacks for my oldest daughter (graham crackers, goldfish, Dora snacks, and squeezable fruit) while husband and I didn't worry too much about ourselves. When we did get hungry we stopped at Subway for a healthier fast food alternative, plus that gave me the opportunity to stretch my legs rather than going through a drive-through. Our friends live on a small island which is only accessible by boat. To stay active on this trip, we swam and kayaked. Since we visited a home we were able to eat in, saving us from navigating restaurant menus and the temptation to splurge on large calorie-laden portions.
Our visit was absolutely delightful. We visited with family friends whom I have known since 1979. Each night after the little ones went to sleep, I stayed up and enjoyed long conversations my "second mother".
According to the Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, friends can
Here is information from the Mayo Clinic about the benefits of friendship.
Maintaining relationships takes effort. It can be so easy to rely heavily on texts, email, and even Facebook to check in with people. It's also common to get so consumed in every day life that weeks escape without reaching out and connecting with those we love. Every once in a while it's good for the soul to pick up the phone, surprise someone with a card, or pile in the car and drive.
