All in the Framily

If you watch TV at all, you’ve no doubt seen one of the many Sprint Framily Plan commercials.  A bit odd, yes, but Sprint really got it right with its “Framily” concept … close friends + family = framily.

My husband and I are both lucky enough to each have great framilies.  I’m still besties with my childhood friends and college roommates.  He is still tight with his boarding school buddies and fraternity brothers.  Having the same friends for over 30 years is pretty amazing.  Even more remarkable, though, is my dad who is still close with his kindergarten pals and fellow altar boy servers … and he’s 70!

I love the people in my framily, but I don’t get to see them as often as I’d like.  Sure, we talk on the phone, email each other and text, but actual time together is rare since we don’t live near each other.  That said, this summer I was lucky enough to spend two separate weekends in Boston with two separate groups of our framily.

At the beginning of the summer, I enjoyed a fantastic (albeit much too brief) weekend with my college roommies.  In town for our 20th (gulp!) reunion, it was really more of a girls’ weekend.  No husbands, no kids, no work, no stress.  Just lots of talking, laughing, remembering … and making new memories.  It was the best.

Then, just last weekend, I spent yet another wonderful weekend in Beantown.  This time it was a family affair, chillin’ with my hubby’s boarding school brothers.  Beautiful weather, well-behaved children, great friends, plus a dunk tank and a hamster wheel (I’ll let you use your imagination here) … it was a weekend to remember.

Two different weekends, two different groups, two different approaches … but I came away from both weekends with similar thoughts:

• The drive from PA to MA is torturous and in no way actually six hours … thank goodness for satellite radio, iTunes and snacks
• A long car ride is worth it for the right people
• Time and distance alone do not weaken strong friendships
• Reunions aren’t just about rehashing the good ol’ days, but also about making new memories … to rehash the next time
• Laughter really is the best medicine for life’s stresses
• Every woman in each of my framilies is an inspiration to me (in different ways)
• I really hope my kids have good childhood friends with whom they stay close through adulthood
• I miss my bffs!

Life gets crazy.  We are all running in different directions … work … school … kids’ schedules … the list goes on.  Getting together can be difficult to coordinate.  Even staying in touch by phone or email can be hard at times.  But  it’s important to try.

It may sound corny and it’s definitely cliché, but old friends make the best friends … and your best friends are the family you pick for yourself.  Choose wisely.

– LJDT