To Inspire:

As I’ve grown older, I’ve experienced both the joy of making new friends and the sadness of losing touch with others. People often say that drifting apart is just a part of growing up— you graduate, start a job, build a family and slowly, the friends you shared countless memories with become distant. But does it always have to be that way?

Friendships hold such a fundamental value in life. At 21 years old, I’ve seen my circle of friends shift through various stages in life, but I’ve learned to truly prioritize and cherish those connections despite those changes. Truly, my friends are some of the most important people in my life.

As a freshman in college at the University of Cincinnati, I joined a sorority. One of our core values is friendship, and through it, I have experienced what that truly is. It’s having people who are there for you during your highs and lows, cheering on your accomplishments, and sharing endless laughter and unforgettable memories. Some of my sorority sisters have graduated or moved on to new phases in life, but we have kept our bond strong through always having an event to look forward to in the future or a long phone call talking about our “new lives.” With life changes happening we always find a way to reconnect.

At the same time, I have noticed how friendships provide a different sense of unity in other environments—especially in the workplace. At The Joseph Group, I was welcomed with kindness and a connection by every team member. It reminded me of the instant connection I felt when I first joined my sorority. At the Joseph Group, coworkers plan vacations together, play golf on weekends, and form genuine friendships that go beyond just being “colleagues.”

But it does raise an important question: when you leave a job or graduate, do you stay connected with those people? Why do we sometimes let go of friendships that once meant so much in our lives? As I have gone through college, I have found myself reminiscing about old friends and missing the impact they had on my life. That is perfectly normal—and even more of a reason to reach out. Losing touch not always mean goodbye forever.

Friendships come and go, and every shift can lead to growth in friendships. But it is never too late to reconnect. If you are reading this and thinking, “When was the last time I reached out to them?”—take that as your sign.

My friends truly mean everything to me. They are the people who know me better than I know myself. Whether they are now 2,000 miles away or live down the hall in my sorority house, I value every single moment with them.

There is truly nothing like catching up with an old friend. So much may have changed in your own personal lives, but the nostalgic memories and close bond often remain just the same.

Share a coffee. Share a laugh. Share a new memory. It is never too late to start a new friendship or reach out to an old one.

Written by Lauren Coy, Marketing Intern