98 | June• 2018
LIFELONG FRIENDS
spread across seven cities, and we
can still share everyday thoughts,
bignewsandsillystoriesasifwehad
never moved away from each other.”Be realistic and keep it casual
“My four best friends from childhood
and I are all married with kids. Restau-
rant gatherings once we had kids were
always a disaster,” tells Stacey Fein-
tuch. “So we decided to switch things
up. Now we each host a meal at our
home throughout the year. It may be
a brunch or a pizza dinner. he host
helps organise the long email chain to
choose a date, does the brunt of the
work and food preparation. But we all
bring something to help ease the bur-
den. It ensures that we get together at
least four times a year.”Don’tbeafraidtoputinthe
worksoyoucanrelaxand let
the good times roll
Real friendship is an ongoing, never-
ending work in progress, and that’s
something Stacy Goldstein Lettie
knows so well of her 30-plus-year
friendship. “Friendship takes work
and planning, but true friends fall in
step with each other no matter how
long it’s been. Our favourite tradition
is that every New Year’s Eve since
1998 we get the families together. We
cook a big fancy meal and stay up
half the night playing karaoke or
some other silly game. We always
have a family sleepover and each year
it’s at a diferent house.”because! You don’t need a reason to
call.Thisiswhatkeepssomeofmy
20-plus-year friendships alive and
strong.Whenyoustartneedinga
reason to call, you lose that every-
daysortofconnection.hisgoesfor
severalofmybridesmaids who are in
diferent states.”
Don’t pretend, real life isn’t
like Facebook at all
“he trick is to not pretend and just
be you,” tells Chetna Singh, of her
26-year friendships with her medical
school friends. “Share your joys and
yoursorrows.Laughtogetherandbe
there for each other. Nobody’s life is
Facebook-perfect.”
Sometimes one party forgets
tobepresent,butthat’sOK
“MybestfriendHelenandIarego-
ingon32years,andwenevercallout
the other person on being an absen-
tee friend,” shares Angela Randall.
“Lifehappensandwhenyouarein
different places and going through
different things, just pick up where
you both are.”
Use technology to your
advantage
“It’ssaidthattechnologyisruin-
ingrelationships,buttherearefew
things as nice as being connected
with your best friends since pri-
mary school by an ongoing group
text,” says Lauren Schwartz Gamsey.
“We are seven busy working parents