November 9th, 2020: How to Maintain Strong Relationships in a Pandemic

Hi, Friends!

I hope you all have been able to have a restful week during this strange time. Not only is there a pandemic that isn't looking to calm down soon, but it also feels like the whole country is ripping apart into two different colors. Red and Blue. I don't know about you, but as much as I like to keep up on the world we live in, the last thing I want to be writing to you all about this week is just that.

Yes, it is super important. Yes, I have my own opinions and ideas, but what matters most (in my opinion) is love and respect. So what better topic to write about this week than maintaining strong relationships right now.

Every time you open social media or turn on the tv, you see so many different ideas and different ways people are dealing with these opinions. We are all feeling completely divided, which is human, but I want us to remember today what matters most: Friendship. How you treat people. How you love people. How you show empathy for others. THIS is what my heart needs right now and I hope yours does, too.

Don't get me wrong, staying up-to-date on what is going on in the world and how you feel about those things are something I don't take lightly and neither should you. I also understand the severity of what is going on right now and how people are affected. So, please don't mistake my not writing on it this week to be a sign of "ignorance is bliss" because it sure is not.

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Keeping Relationships Strong Amidst the Covid Crisis

If you haven't already noticed by my posts, we have had a lot of changes this year. We moved 8 hours away from our home of 3 years in Chattanooga during Will's Pediatric Residency to Indiana. We LOVE being only 2.5 hours away from our family and our hometown friends, but moving to a new state in the middle of a pandemic definitely has its downfalls.

We are a pretty social couple and LOVE meeting up with friends at a bar or a local favorite spot, but it's pretty tough meeting new people during a pandemic (especially when I am staying home because of it). Thank the Lord above some of our friends already do live here in Indy, but when it comes to meeting NEW friends, it's just not as simple right now.

Will and I adore our friends and would do anything for them and to keep our friendships strong. So, as a couple, we have learned how to foster even stronger relationships with our friends that we can't see often because of distance and/or the personal risks the pandemic brings. Will still has Immune Thrombocytopenia Purpura and you know what, I am not all that curious to see how Covid could affect him!

Today, my goal is to share with you all some things we do to keep our social life and our friendships solid during this crazily weird time:

FaceTime is the Best Time

Texting is nice, voice calls are cool, but let's face it, we always feel better after a good FaceTime call. So ditch the short quick texts and find a time when you can fit in a "face to face" FaceTime call. My favorites are when a group of us can get on one call at a time. This also works with Snapchat. It's something about seeing your friend's faces that makes everything a little sweeter.

Zoom Zoom Zoom, Make Your Heart Go Boom Boom (IYKYK)

Zoom has been the life saver, or should I say, friend saver of 2020. Will and I love to have "Zoom Happy Hours" with our friends/family from Residency. Usually this has to be planned ahead of time to make it work with everyone's busy schedules, but when it works out, it brings us back to meeting up at our favorite beer joint, Siglers.

(this pic below is when we told our friends we were pregnant!)

Small (Safe) Group Hangouts

Sometimes the stars align and we are able to make a trip to visit our friends out of town. When this happens, we always make it a priority to feel safe. We usually spend time outside and only visit places that have strict Covid restrictions. This way we can see those we love while feeling safe and we don't have to worry about any unfortunate consequences. (besides maybe a hangover for some ... ;) )

Join Facebook/Social Media Groups

This is something that has truly helped me this season. I have met so many women in my content and interest areas. Even though we can't physically meet, I do feel a special bond with these women that are in the same time of their life as me. Having a support system you can relate to, is so important no matter what you're going through. Below are just two of my fav groups I am in that I LOVE.

Write Letters and Send Surprise Gifts

So, this is one that I need to get better at. I seriously LOVE receiving and sending letters. There's something about seeing a card with your name on it in the mail and realizing it is NOT a bill! Sending gifts also fills my bucket, so jump on a Christmas Gift Chain or just send a small gift to your loved ones as a surprise! I promise it will make your heart happy even if you don't receive a thing in return.

Keeping friendships over a long period of time isn't easy, especially in times like these, but we need each other more than ever right now. So, pick up the phone, write a letter, send a gift, schedule a " virtual happy hour" , do what you have to do to remind those in your life that you love and appreciate their friendship. You've got this.

Love you all!

XO Court

P.s. If you need a new friend, I am here! I love it when my readers reach out! I would love to get to know you better.

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Articles and Studies I Found Interesting:

NPR: "Call Your Friends": https://www.npr.org/2020/03/27/822728362/call-your-friends-the-importance-of-maintaining-friendships-during-the-pandemic

Journal of Social and Personal Relationships: (An Interesting Study) https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0265407518761225

17 Way to Strengthen Friendships During the Pandemic: https://siliconvalley.salvationarmy.org/silicon_valley/news/17-ways-to-strengthen-friendships-during-the-pandemic/