Relationships

It's National Good Neighbor Day today, September 28, and a great reminder to reach out to our neighbors. Studies show that having good relationships with those around us can boost our happiness, and that includes our neighbors! And it doesn't matter how long you have lived in the neighborhood as you will read below. Don't let time stop you from making a new connection. Back in 2011, when we were planning our move from Arizona to Orange County, I pictured sharing margaritas wi

Having a weekly happy hour date has been a great way to relax and catch up with my husband and I - going strong after 30 years married.

This year marks my 30th wedding anniversary, and lately I can't stop thinking about the 90s. It started when Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette premiered on FX and Hulu this year, which took me back to 1996 again. I remember them getting married a few weeks before us. My husband and I had no idea what was ahead of us. It was before Amazon was a household name. Before texting was mainstream, and Netflix and Google existed. And way before smartphones — which di

Forty years. That's how long it had been since I last saw my childhood friend Jan Kahlcke — since high school, before either of us had careers, spouses, or kids of our own. Through the years, friends may come and go, but sometimes you meet someone who leaves a big impression on you. Despite a strong connection, life gets in the way, and you lose touch. But the friend never fully leaves your thoughts or your heart. You often wonder what it would be like to reconnect after all

Just like our female counterparts, a man's life is filled with good times and tough times. From what I have observed as a man in his 60s, those who do well at life learn to ride the big emotional waves during the tough times, knowing eventually that the storm will pass and be replaced by calm seas. That is until another temporary storm hits again. That is life for everyone. No one gets smooth sailing all the time. Thinking back over the past decade, I still can’t believe that

We all know the feeling - you get that text, the call to go out, a DM from a friend on Facebook. And instead of leaning in, your instinct is to lean out. You're tired, unsure, or “not in the mood.” But what if this summer, which is right around the corner, you said yes anyway? That was me last summer. Summer has consistently been the busiest time workwise for me (and in the fall) and I never considered what I would be doing other than working and celebrating some birthdays an

July 30th is International Day of Friendship, but I'd like to think that any day is a great day to celebrate our friendships! In a world that moves fast and feels increasingly digital, it is good on occasion to pause and honor one of life’s most nourishing connections—friendship. Friends remind us that we’re not alone. They share our joys, support us through difficulties, and bring laughter and perspective when needed. Research shows that meaningful friendships can reduce st

For those who live in homes on the smaller side, it's easy to feel like those in larger homes have it better off. This article shows that by embracing your home no matter the size, you can embrace all the joy and connection it provides. A love letter to my little house: As we celebrate our 15th anniversary of moving back to Southern California this year, I find myself reflecting on you — my humble home. You’ve been so much more than just a roof over our heads. You’ve been a v